Chapter Four: New Beginings

         During everyone's lifetime there is always that one face you will never forget; that one face that haunts you in your dreams at night and during the day. For me that face belongs to Saran Van'Bratta, the first person to betray my people. She started the decision to do nothing while the Athean race was becoming extinct. She was one person I'd hoped to never see again, but as destiny would have it, we would meet.
         It turns out that my beloved Anton, who is the soul reason I live on, is the son of that traitor. I will never be able to understand why one of such light can be born of one with such anger and hate. I guess that, in a way, Anton is like me, born of a dark parent, mine just happened to be more evil than his.
         After I collapsed in the Great Hall, after finally reaching Namen, I woke up in a small unfamiliar room. When I tried to stand a terrible pain shot through my body, forcing me to cry out in pain. Suddenly a woman with brown curly hair rushed over to me, her brown eyes capturing me in their stern gaze. She gently pushed me back down and asked what I was thinking. I ignored her though; there had been something about her face that capture my attention. It hit me a moment later that this woman was Saran.
         I cried out in a terrible rage, something I'd never felt before and in truth I frightened my self. In that instance all I could think about was killing that awful woman. Thankfully Anton ran into the room and pinned me down, saving me from a choice I would have regretted. With his arms around me, holding me back, I let go of my anger and cried. I was so horrified with myself I couldn't help but mutter 'I'm sorry' over and over again. When he at last asked me what was wrong, I told him...I told him of his mother's ugly deeds and sometimes I wish I hadn't. He looked upon me with disbelief, asking me if I was absolutely sure of what I was saying. Of course I was sure. There was no way I would ever forget that face, so smug and full of itself. I knew who she really was, I knew. With a deep sadness in his eyes, Anton told his mother to fetch the doctor for me, and as she left I think I saw some light leave Anton's eyes.
         The Doctor they brought filled me with fright, he looked exactly like Richard, but something was wrong, I could sense the evilintent, the intruding energy coming from it and Richard was one of the few pure souls in this dark world. The sight of him made me pass out, but before I fell into unconsciousness I cried to Anton in thought with a revelation I'd discovered, this man wasn't Richard, but a Mannok, one of The Ultimate Evil's servants who can take the form of anyone it chooses. I made sure to warn Anton, making sure he would be careful before I fell into blackness.
         As I drifted there in an endless sea of darkness, I felt Anton thinking on a way to get me to safety. Oh my precious Anton I'd thought, always thinking of me.
         Then my mind darkened as well and I knew no more.
         There is one thing I want made clear, Anton is the purest sense of goodness there is on this world. He is always thinking of others, making sure that they are safe before he worries about himself. If we hadn't connected, I am positive that I would not have survived. Anton is the soul reason I continue on in life, he alone keeps me going. He is my guardian angel.



         Anton gripped the leather reins hard in his hands as the fine Athean war-horse jump another fallen tree. They were deep in the Dragon Forest, yet the mannok still pursued him in a relentless effort to capture Antonia, who unconsciously sat before him in the saddle, totally unaware of the events around her. As the mannok started to gain speed, Anton's heart raced, they needed to go faster. Alleo, Mident, im tore qualet enot. (Hurry Midnight, he isn't far behind). Anton cried, his voice almost inaudible through the wind. Fortunately the horse's keen hearing picked up the words and rose in speed, once again putting the mannok far behind them.
         What am I to do? Anton asked himself. We can't outrun him forever, and I'm still unsure of how far the Rider City is from where we are. If we don't reach its safe borders soon, then we won't stand a chance. I need to find a way to get us there faster, but how? Antonia is the one with power, and she is unconscious. What am I going to do?
         Hope came in the form of a large white wall in the distance, shining like the sun after a terrible storm. The Rider City! Anton exclaimed, as Midnight finally rode past the city's barrier.
         When the two guards at the gate saw them riding toward them, they reinforced the barrier around the city, so the mannok couldn't pass. As soon as a blue light surrounded the barrier, the Mannok turned around, not letting the guards see his face, and took off. "Thank-you," Anton replied as he jumped off the horse, carrying Antonia with him, "but I need help, my sister is hurt and hasn't woken in about three days. Please, I would have had someone else help, but a mannok was after us and this was the only place that I could think of that might protect us. Can you?"
         "The Rider City never ignores a plea of help." The first Rider replied softly, his blue eyes full of sympathy. "Follow me, I'll take you to Ramana, she's the best medic we have, and the closest."
         "Mident, tish a Eldes staman pikel fiene ne. Nea'son pett pen pikel bot na a enise" (Midnight, go to the Rider stables and wait for me. I'll come back and tell you the news.) Anton ordered as he followed the blonde Rider.
         "Was that Athean?" the guard asked confused.
         "Yes, I was taught it at a young age." Anton replied, his blonde braid swinging behind him. "That horse belonged to a friend of mine, Athean is all it knows."
         "What is your name?"
         "Anton Van'Bratta, and yours?"
         "Leom Bartock."
         "I appreciate your help Leom, and so will my sister." With that said Anton and Leom walked the streets in silence and Anton, left to his thoughts, took in the city.
         The Rider City was unlike anything he had ever seen, its bare streets were made from white and gold marble that radiated and gave the city a sense of pure light. The city held an atmosphere of great peace, which to Anton felt as if the city had been made of it, for it seemed as if peace transended from the buildings, yet something felt diffrent.
         The Riders themselves surprised Anton. They looked like ordinary people yet Anton could sense a power about them. As they walked past, the riders spared a glance and then went about their work. Some cleaned, some went to mending their shops, and others just relaxed as the little ones played in front of them. It seemed strange to him that in such a dark world, there could be a haven of peace. They were truly peaceful people and Anton wondered if Athea had been anything like this. He wondered if the Athean people had lived as ordinary people, creating a peace that covered the city. Could one so dangerous be so peaceful? He asked himself.
         Anton shook himself out of his thoughts as Leom turned into a tall building. When Anton followed him in he found himself in a white room. On the walls he spotted pictures and white beds stood all over the room in two isles. When they walked further into the room, an old lady of about 60 rushed towards them. Her gray hair was put nicely in a bun so it would stay out of the way. As she rushed toward them, her brown eyes gazed upon Antonia with shock as if seeing a ghost. She wore a crystal white gown with a pearl white apron. The old woman rushed over to Anton and an unconscious Antonia.
         When she reached Anton, the woman gestured Anton to a bed. "Lay her here." The woman replied and Anton gently laid Antonia on the bed. "What happened to her?"
         "She was attacked by Unichs not to long ago. Then, when she came to me she... she uh passed out and hasn't woken up since." Anton, after speaking to the old woman turned to Leom. "I need you to bring Richard here. I hold very important news that I think he should here right away." Leom immediately turned and left out of the hospital to the Council Building. Then, that done, Anton turned his attention back to Antonia. "Will she be alright Ms..."
         "Ramana. Her damage is extensive, but I think she will live." Ramana replied in a sincere voice. "Shem to na raine an in? " (What is your connection to her?)
         "Nea'al in foji. (I'm her brother.) Please you must do all that you can, I can't imagine a life without her." Anton replied. Anton, not being able to talk any more watched as Ramana tended to Antonia's injuries. with only a few moments of silence, Richard and a woman who Anton believed was Marshes, burst into the room. Richard he liked, but he felt something strange about Marshes.
         "You said you had important information for me." Richard asked approaching
         "Yi." ( Yes) Anton replied. "Nea fauma na terr chert an snie aie quan to e Mannok mandasquil shi na hofet fontes. Im'sh terln aie limet fiene e toose." (I thought you might like to know that there is a Mannok masquerading as you going around. He's been that way for a while)
         "That is important, I thank you young man." When Richard turned to leave, Anton stopped him.
         "Abarn, e shanm nea an ess et earn boon va na, na fauma reed." (Also I wanted you to see an old friend of yours, you thought dead) When Anton stepped aside, showing Antonia to Richard, his eyes widened in recognition.
         "Antonia." He silently cried.
         "I hoped you could help her, she is different from when you knew her, and in ligh to bicken." (her soul is broken.)
         "How in the world did she survive?"
         "That is a story I think she should tell you. You need to know though that she may want to run away as soon as she wakes up."
         "Why?" Marshes asked.
         "She feels ashamed." Anton said to her, then he turned to Richard. "In xou riek fiene a reeds va a Sonians." (She feels responsible for the deaths of the Atheans)
         "Oh, her pain is deep indeed." Richard said softly as he  looked upon her. "When she is ready to move, let's put her in her old house. She should like it there, the garden should sooth her."
         "Yes it would." Anton replied as the three of them watched her. Marshes didn't stay long however, she went to the council to report the news. So Anton and Richard watched over Antonia, with heavy hearts. Ten soon, Antonia, te sone ten akmast. (be calm Antonia, it will be alright.)



         It is strange to be back in the Rider City, so many memories live here, haunting me. As I walk through the city, memories from what seems like a lifetime ago come to me, showing times when I was naive and happy. Remembering those who died unnecessarily breaks my heart. I can't help it, they were my comrades, my friends, and now they are gone, leaving me alone. I guess that isn't fair for Anton, he never leaves my side, always thinking of me and how he can help. He yearns to hear me laugh and to see me smile but... my joy died with the other Atheans. I don't think I will ever be truly happy again, not even for Anton.
         You may think me cruel, but you don't understand, happiness is painful for me. When I'm happy I am reminded of my mother and the others, I see their joyful faces, and I cry. I can't live through this pain, so I lock it up, keeping it away, but the memories keep coming back, I am at a loss as to how to get rid of them. I don't want to know what those faces held, I don't want to know what I've done. I just want to wither away into nothingness, where at last, I will be free of this terrible pain. I don't want to be tormented by visions of the past, I just want to die.
         The only reason I force myself to live on, is Anton. He keeps me going, he helps ease some of my pain, he is always there to comfort my broken soul. He is the pure soul of goodness and I am positive that he is the Great Protector from prophesies, there is no other tittle that suits him so well, he is my protector, the second half of my soul.
         There is only one thing I fear he cannot protect me from, myself. If it wasn't for my mother's last words and for Anton, I would have killed myself long ago. Sometimes I want to do it, to end this miserable existence. I don't care about saving the world anymore, they all betrayed me anyways, but Anton...he wants me too, and sometimes that is enough to stay off the feelings of suicide.
         I keep hoping though, that I  will wake up to find this nightmare a dream, to find them alive. I just want to talk to them again, to touch and hold them, I want to be with them again. I'm not sure I can live in this world without them.
         But Destiny has been unkind. I am trapped here in this dark world. I am doomed to save those you let my world, everything I knew and loved, die.
I will survive though, for Anton. I will live on for him. Nature soothes me and Anton does everything he can for me and I can't let his sacrifice be in vain. I will go on, for him.
         Mother Nature, I hope you aren't disappointed in me, for what I have caused. I must ask your forgiveness, as I must ask it of all you I led to death. I must ask forgiveness for my weakness and the inability to save you. I hope that you can find it in your hearts to forgive one who has lost her way.
         Anton, my beloved Anton, I'm sorry. You have given up so much for me, your dreams, your life, they are now gone because of me. If I had just found another way, or if I had just died, then you wouldn't be sleeping in a chair next to me, deep with in the Rider City, you would be home with your mother, playing with your friends and being happy. It is clear to me that I have taken away your joy. I hope that in time, you may forgive me.
         In the mean time, I am lost. I don't know where I am going, or what I can do. How can I save Narsayes when I don't care for it anymore or, as I become lost...in the darkness? Every day I find that I am loosing my heart. I don't see light anymore, all I see is darkness, and how can you love the darkness, especially when it lives in everyone.
         I find it consuming me, and I fear that eventually it will destroy me, and I will end up hurting Anton, the one person who believes and loves me. If I hurt him, there will be nothing left. I feel that when that day comes, so will the end of the world. If I loose him, then there will be nothing holding me back, I will become a source of destruction. I can't let that happen, the people of the world may be dark, but they are still people, and I wouldn't be able to face Anton's spirit, that look of disappointment is one I could never face.
         The more I am consumed the more I want to run away. If I'm not around them then I can't hurt them... but... Anton. He would come after me. That is my struggle; a struggle where no side can win. The only answer is death, and I promised my mother that I would live. I am trapped, and will stay that way.
Mother, my fellow Atheans, and dear Anton, forgive me...
                                                Antonia Van'Dragon



         Silently, Antonia walked the stone path of her garden. It had been awhile since she'd seen it, but it looked the same. Flowers and trees of all kinds surrounded her, gently soothing her broken soul. The plants sang to her of better times, when she was happy and content. Their songs reminded her of when she first found the garden. It had been overgrown and unattended, weeds were out of control, and the plants were sad. She found a gate that led inside, but vines covered it. The garden's pain at being left unattended radiated to her and she couldn't help but tend to it. She'd spent many hours in this garden, tending and weeding. She eventually found that it had once been a grand garden, visited often, but for some reason, it had been locked up and forgotten.
         With some convincing the flowers and trees sang to her the story of it previous life. People had come from all around to see it, Riders practiced and meditated in it, and the caretaker had lived in the grand house that stood on the garden grounds. Once, after a terrible accident the caretaker had died, and people stopped coming and eventually they locked it up letting it fade out of thought. It practically cried out for her to soothe it and care for it as it was doing to her now. She'd sung to the plants, sat with them and just talked to them. Since the nearest well was a bit away, Antonia would carry buckets of water back and forth for it. In no time at all she'd made it far into the garden and found a well stood in it, so she fixed it up and was able to spend more time in the garden.
         She'd spent all her free time in it, until it had been restored to its former glory.
         The plants sang to her of that day. It had been bright, the flowers brilliantly bloomed and the trees had stood nice and tall, stretching their branches toward the sun. The plants had sung in joy, radiating light and happiness. In the exact center of the garden, Antonia had restored a clearing. It had been surrounded with rose bushes, with a circle of benches. The legs of the benches were dragons so it looked as if four dragons were holding it up and that is were she sat, enjoying the joy radiating from the plants. She'd felt the happiest then, and since the plants had taken a liking to her, she'd been named the new caretaker and had been given the house, which she'd shared with her mother, up until the war. Leaving that garden, after the Athean destruction, had been the hardest for her, she felt as if she'd betrayed it. But now the plants comforted her saying that it didn't possess a grudge toward her and that it still wanted her company. Antonia felt overjoyed that the garden still loved her. She felt as if the garden was apart of her family, like Anton. When she broke down it would help Anton comfort her.
         Even in her room, where she was plague with terrible nightmares of her mother's death every night, the plants reached her.
         All of a sudden Antonia stopped walking for in front of her, on the path, stood her mother, blood running down her body. "Why'd you let me die? Why didn't you see who your father really was?" Her mother cried. "Why didn't you use your head."
         "NO!" Antonia cried as she collapsed into the ground, her head  in her hands. As she rocked back and forth, Antonia sobbed uncontrollably. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Antonia cried over and over again. She knew the bloody figure wasn't real, but she couldn't help it. She felt responsible for her death. She couldn't help but blame herself.
         As her mother started a chorus of  "It's all your fault," and "You let me die," Antonia heard Anton running down the path and felt his embrace, along with the gardens. He was never to far away. He'd promised never to leave her side and he held true to his word. Sometimes, out of respect, he'd walk far behind her, but if she ever broke down, he'd quickly be at her side to comfort and take care of her. He was like her Guardian Angel, always looking out for her, plus, he'd won the approval of the garden.
         He'd keep people away when she needed to be alone and found company when she needed it. He spoke to her in Athean as often as he could, knowing it helped her. He always seemed to know what she needed and would be there to give it. He'd always know what to do in times like these.
         Quietly Anton wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and helped her stand. "Sang, po Antonia, gon'so mess na mina." (Come on Antonia, let's get you inside.) Antonia slowly rose to her feet, still crying, letting Anton lead her away.
         As always, he'd lead her into the sitting room and into a chair where she would cry as he comforted. Every where she went memories and hallucinations followed and tormented her. Anton swore that she would grow to love the city once more, but she wasn't so certain. When it seemed as if all hope was lost, Anton ran into her bedroom where she laid, a letter in his hands.
         "I found this, while I searched the desk. It's addressed to you." Antonia shakily took the letter and opened to find it from her mother. As tears rolled down her face she read:
My Dear Antonia,
         I hope this finds you well. I have so much to tell and explain to you that I wish I could do it in person, but I know it will not be. You must be feeling terrible pain, and I hate to do it to you, but I'm afraid I'm going to add to your pain. First let me tell you my story. I was born a regular Athean, with a regular life. I trained to be a warrior and the highest I got was a second level master. I'd been on a mission when I met a young man who was homeless and lost. Feeling sorry for him, I brought him back with me to Athea where we became fast friends. When the time was right, he was welcomed into our society and only a few months later we were married. I loved your father very much, and when I had you my life seemed complete. I grew worried though when I saw your birthmarks, I feared what they meant. Your father suggested that I give you to him and that he would take you to see the Rider Council. I felt as if something was wrong so I refused to hand you over. After your ceremony, I left with your father for the Rider City.
         Deep in the Dragon Forest one night black men jumped me and tried to take you from me by force. I jumped onto my horse and started to gallop toward the city, calling his name. The men followed me and started to shoot arrows, one hit my horse, and we went tumbling. No matter how loud I yelled for him, your father wouldn't respond, so I continued on foot, but didn't get far before I was surrounded. Right when I thought hope was lost, a great light shone and I was able to escape to the city.
         In the Council building I discovered who the man I loved truly was, a traitor. When I was told who you were to become, I knew the day would come, when Athea and I would die. I also knew that your father would be the one to kill me. Antonia, my little one, my shining star, I don't want you to hate your father, instead weep for him, he is trapped in a darkness, I fear he will never escape. I know that by now I am dead, please, my shining star, do not blame yourself for that, it was my choice and I saw it through. You now want to know why I chose to die, when I could've easily prevented it.
         You know the Prophecy of the Destined Child of Light, what I didn't share with you was the Prophecy of Balance. It states that 'For a world to become whole, the land and her destined must become complete.' For you to be able to re-balance and save our world, you had to become complete. When you were younger, you knew nothing of the evils in our world. The other Atheans and I had to die for you to know and understand the evils of this world. I say it once again, none of it was your causing or fault, it was destined.
         Antonia, you are now complete. Now, if you haven't all ready, you must find your Great Protector, he is destined to be apart of you and to protect you from the things you cannot protect your self from. You must find him and when you do, you will automatically have a connection.
         I now have another burden to place on you. The Child of Light doesn't just rebalance the world, she protects the balance once it is made. I'm sorry to have caused this on you, but you will never be free, you will always be there to defeat evil for the rest of your  life, whenever it ends. For all eternity I will bear the burden of having placed this terrible destiny upon you. I hope that, in time, you will come to forgive me. Until then, I am so sorry.
         When you are trapped, or feel as if you are buried in darkness, just  create your own light. Also, you should perfect that technique that you know of seeing the light in some, and darkness in others, it will come in handy.
In parting I share with you this last piece of guidance, The voyage of discovery lies not in finding new landscapes, but in having new eyes. You must look around you with the gift we died for, your new eyes..
         If you need me, go outside to the garden, I will be there, in spirit. If ever you need to talk, go there and let it surround you.
With all my love and hope to you and your protector,
                                            Antoin Van'Dragon
                                            Black Rider
         Tears welled up in Antonia's eyes as she finished the letter. Oh mother, what terrible burdens you had to bare, and on your alone. Though there is nothing to forgive, if it will put your troubled heart at peace, I forgive you. I hope that now you're finally at peace, and worry free. When she couldn't take it any longer, Antonia dropped the letter and burst into tears. As always, right by her side, was Anton, with a welcoming embrace.



         The stars shone brightly over Antonia as she walked the gardens she cherished, looking for the voice, which had called to her. As she walked it would call her name, leading her deeper into the garden forest until she reached the center. What she was faced with would never leave her. Waiting for her was Mother Nature herself. Her long golden brown hair floats in the air as if in water. Her golden eyes could pierce a soul and she hovers above the ground walking in the air, her body acting as if in water. Her brown and green spiral gown was made of a diaphanous material befitting a god. She only wore golden sandals on her feet, as if the cold never touched her. Surrounding the mighty presence of the Mother, were countless spirits. When Antonia looked more closely at them she found that these spirits were the Atheans. Without a word Antonia fell to her knees, tears streaming down. Her face looked only at the ground, never lifting to see the kind faces.
         "Are you real?" Antonia asked. "Or are you just images in my mind coming to haunt me?"
         "You know we are real." Mother Nature replied. "Tell me child why do you lower your head in shame?"
         "I am not worthy to look upon your faces... I don't even deserve to live. Please, end my existence."
         "What of the people who are counting on you to save them huh? Are you just going to let them die?" She cried.
         "Why should I save them? After all they just let everyone die. Why should I save greedy and evil people?"
         "They made a mistake Antonia." Her mother chimed in. "You can't punish them for making a mistake."
         "A mistake that took you from me. A mistake that ended my entire world. A mistake..."
         "You must stop this." Antoin replied. "This isn't the Antonia I remember."
         "Well, those people you want me save killed her. Only this miserable shell remains." Antonia cried. "What you see before you is a miserable nobody who is all alone."
         "What about me?" A voice asked behind her. "Do I mean nothing to you?" With a gasp Antonia turned to find Anton standing behind her his eyes full of despair. "Am I nothing to you?"
         "NO!" Antonia cried as she looked into his eyes. "You mean everything to me. You keep me alive...you are my guardian angel...your are my soul."
         "I thought you said you were alone." Anton replied.
         "I...I."
         "You must let go of us Antonia, you must live on." Her mother said.
         "I can't. You were my world, my life. How can I live without you?" Antonia cried, her head lowered to the ground once more.
         "You have a new world... one who loves you very much." Mother Nature replied. "You have Anton."
         "I know I do but..."
         "But what?" Anton asked.
         "You don't understand... they're my life, my blood, my family." Antonia sadly replied.
         "I thought I was your family." Anton replied his eyes full of despair. "I thought we were together in this Antonia. You are my family, more so than Saran. I gave up everything for you. All I wanted was to see you happy again, and now you tell me it is worthless? Do I mean so little to you?"
         "No! But still..."
         "I see." Anton said his eyes full of disappointment. "If I mean nothing to you then there is no reason for me to stay. I'll go pack my things and leave. I guess I'll go back to Nacara and finish my training." Anton slowly turned and started to walk away.
         "Anton please, don't go." Antonia cried. "I need you." With a sigh Anton looked over his shoulder at Antonia.
         "I can see who you love and need." He replied slowly. "You have made it clear that everything I have done for you, including giving up my family, has meant nothing. I guess I should have never saved you from that Mannok. Perhaps I should have just let you die."
         "No!"
         "Its what you want." Anton exclaimed. "You have made that perfectly clear. I'm leaving Antonia; you can go and die like you want to...just leave me out of it. I refuse to be part in your suicide. Go ahead, kill yourself, doom the world...kill what I love the most." With that Anton walked out of sight and back to the house.
         "What did he mean, kill what I love the most?" Antonia asked looking into her mother's eyes.
         "He meant you." She replied shortly. "Antonia we may have been your world, but you were his. You were the only thing he cared about. He was willing to die for you, he loved you so much."
         "He isn't really leaving is he?"
         "I think he does intend to leave, once the sun rises he will be off, set on a lonely journey." Mother Nature replied as she stared at the direction that he had gone. "Congratulations, you've killed his heart. Now he will be alone, and perhaps he'll become like your father. You have killed him."
         "NO!" Antonia screamed. "Please you must bring him back... please don't let him go."
         "I thought you were alone, a nobody? I thought you wanted us to end your existence?" Mother Nature asked.
         "I change my mind, please don't let him go. I love him." Antonia cried. "Mother please don't let him go. I'll do anything please, stop him." Antonia begged at her mother's feet. "Don't let him leave... I need him. I can't survive without him. Please he means everything to me. I was wrong... he is my world. Please don't let my world die again. Please." Antonia cried on her knees, face on the ground. "Please... stop him."
         "We can only transport him here... keeping him here is up to you." Mother Nature replied.
         "Yes. Please bring him here." Antonia said lifting her head in hope. With a nod the Atheans lowered their heads gathering up their energies. When they reached the amount they needed, they called out Anton's name and in a flash of light he appeared.
         "What am I doing back in this depressing place?" Anton asked Mother Nature.
         "I asked them to." Antonia stammered. "Please listen to me before you leave." When Anton gave a short nod, Antonia sighed with relief. "First of all I'm sorry, I didn't mean what I what said. I do love you and appreciate all you have done for me. Second I owe you an explanation. When I was young my parents and the Atheans were all I really knew, to me they were the world I was going to save. Then that dreadful war came and I had to watch as my word shatter and die because the world refused to help. Over the last six years you have helped me, no questions asked, giving up everything just because you wanted to repair my world.
         "I'm so sorry. Even though you grew in my heart I couldn't get past that day when my world ended. As you built up my world I tore it back down. All I wanted was to die and rejoin my people. I had forgotten about you, and my love for you. You had become my world and I was to blind to see it, but you have opened my eyes. When you left I realized what I had done and I hated myself for it. Of all the things I have seen and will see, that look of disappointment and grief was one I never wanted to see. I took your heart and your life, then I just ripped them up. I can't ask forgiveness for what I have done and you can leave, I wouldn't blame you." Antonia said grief filling her voice. " But I want you to stay. You have become my world, my family, my brother. You have become everything to me. I want you to stay and if I thought it would help I would be on  my knees begging you to stay but I know what I have done. You may go, if you want to. I won't stop you. Just know that I am truly sorry." With that Antonia bowed her head in despair, waiting for Anton to leave. When he knelt next to her instead Antonia's heart soared.
         "Antonia, I love you and always shall." He replied lifting her head so their eyes met. "If you ask me to stay, I will and if you tell me to go I will."
         "I want you to stay with me.. if that is truly what you want. I won't hold you here against your will." Antonia said with hope.
         "Then I shall stay, only because you asked it of me, and I love you." Anton replied and Antonia leaped into his arms embracing him as she cried. Mother Nature and the Athean spirits watch with joy as the last Athean cried with happiness.
         "Now to why we came." Antoin replied watching her daughter untangle herself from Anton. "First we came to renew your hope and try to make you see reason. Second we came to strengthen you bond with Anton, in which would make you blood."
         "Really? You can do that?" Anton asked in amazement.
         "We can, if you let us."
         "Of course."
         "Then don't move and we will begin."
         With a deep breath the Atheans surround the two on the ground, once again gathering their power. With one force they let out their power in a stream of light which coiled around them, filling them with a sense of joy. The light grew tighter and tighter until they were covered in it, the light surging through their bodies. With a heavy sigh the light ended and Antonia and Anton felt different. They could sense what the other was going to say and feel. Also a silver moon appeared on the right side of Anton's forehead and a silver star appeared on the right side of Antonia's forehead.
         "It is done, you are now complete." Mother Nature replied, approaching them. "I have a gift for each of you." She replied reaching into a bag at her waist. "First for Anton, a dragon egg that will hatch as soon as we leave." She said handing a blue egg. "And to Antonia, brand new Athean swords made by your fellow Atheans just for you." She said handing over two gold and silver scimitars in fine leather sheathes. "And one more gift to you both, golden crowns of power made by my own hands. These will help you on your journey as well as identify you to those who doubt." Each of them was handed a golden crown made of a beautiful design of intertwining gold strands. "Wear them always. No we bid you farewell, and good luck." In a flash they were gone and Anton's egg was hatching. When it did hatch a blue tinted rainbow light flashed before them, revealing a blue dragon before them.
         "Anton... this dragon is like Nashala, she will be able to change color at will."
         "Well then, this beautiful dragon deserves a beautiful name." Anton replied, holding her in his arms. "How about Peru? Do you like that name?" When the Dragon nodded, Anton smiled. "Peru it is then."
         "Welcome Peru." Antonia smiled before turning to Anton. "We should go get some sleep, we need to get to work tomorrow."
         "Of course." Anton replied. "Lets go."