The Myth and The Guardian Book II: Christopher

There was loud knock on the door, and James rushed to answer. He was not surprised to see Joel standing on the other side of the door.

“Come on in.” James said slowly.

Joel nodded a greeting at James and entered the house. He looked around, and saw Austin sitting beside the man he never officially met.

“Austin? Is that you? Joel asked slowly.

“Yes. It’s really me.” Austin said as he rushed to hug his friend.”

Joel seemed surprised and uncomfortable by Austin’s attempt to hug him. Joel quickly put out a hand that connected with Austin’s chest and stopped him from completing the hug. Austin backed away from Joel and noticed he kept the hand extended to be shaken. Austin was confused, but he shook the man’s hand.

“I’m sorry I lied to you about Christopher.” Austin confessed dropping his head in shame.

“Oh, no worries. I’m just happy to see that you are in good hands.” Joel replied strangely.

“Come along, we must be leaving now.” He added quickly.

“What are you talking about, Joel?” Austin asked curiously.

“Austin, we have to talk in private.” Joel confessed as he cautiously looked around the room.

“Joel, I’m sure whatever you need to tell me will be safe with James and Archie.” Austin said in a confident tone.

“Archie? Is that what you call yourself?” Joel asked looking at Archie.

“Yes, Michael Archibald Lange at your service. Nice to properly meet you Mr. Wilson.” Archie said as he rose to shake Joel’s hand.

Joel stared at man for a moment and ignored the man’s outstretched hand.

“Austin, I am sure Mr. Farmer and Mr. Lange have been helpful, but you are my responsibility. We need to leave at once.” Joel spoke softly.

“Joel, this man can help me. Help us. He gave me this, and now I feel better than ever.” Austin said as he pulled the medallion out of his shirt.

Joel looked at the medallion and quickly backed away from it. He turned and faced the door for a moment before he started to speak again.

“Austin, it’s a nice necklace, but I cannot stress enough the importance of us leaving immediately.” Joel said as if he was trying to contain himself from an outburst. “I’m sorry, but I believe it would be a good idea for me to stay in Archie’s protection.” Austin said respectfully.

“Do not question me boy! Come along now! That is an order!” Joel screamed before looking around the room at James and Archie. “Sorry about that.” Joel added quickly.

“I do not believe you are sorry, Mr. Wilson. I believe that outburst was exactly what you felt.” Archie said calmly.

“Well your beliefs mean less than nothing to me, Mr. Lange. I am here for the boy, not for your approval.” Joel said coldly.

“Now there is a true statement. Mr. Wilson, would you be so kind as to stand directly beside Austin?” Archie asked randomly.

“Austin come along now. We are leaving.” Joel said firmly.

“Why do you want him to stand beside Austin?” James asked curiously.

“Yes, I was wondering the same.” Austin added curiously. Everyone stared at Joel for a moment, and he was shaking as if he were about to burst.

“I am growing weary of your commands, Mr. Lange. Nobody chose you to be in charge.” Joel said as he continued to shake.

“That is not entirely true. I believe you know exactly who placed me in charge.” Archie said moving towards Austin.

“Enough! I’m done listening to this person. Austin, I take care of you. You will do as I say. Now come along.” Joel spoke impatiently, and everyone noticed.

“Why does he want you to stand beside me Joel, and why are you refusing?” Austin asked with concern in his voice.

James snuck up behind Joel and pushed him close to Austin. Austin’s medallion began to glow a bright blue, and Joel put a hand in his right pant pocket. There was a bright red light flashing inside of his pocket, and the source of the light was burning through his pants. Joel grabbed James’ arm, and James was immediately in agonizing pain. He fell to the ground as his arms started becoming black from decay.

“Austin. Run!” Archie yelled.

Austin obeyed the command and sprinted up the stairs. Joel ran after him, but Archie jumped in front of him and knocked him to the ground. Joel crashed to floor and immediately jumped to his feet, but he did not look like Joel anymore. Instead, the person standing directly in front of Archie looked exactly like Archie himself except for a scar on the left side of his face.

“It’s nice to see you, brother.” Archie said in a sincere but alert tone of voice. “Give me the boy!” Allen cried with a hiss in his voice.

“He’s not yours to have.” Archie replied.

“He is just as much mine as he is yours.” Allen said coldly. “Archie? Do you think that name is clever?” Allen asked with hate in voice.

“I suppose it is as clever as yours, Allen.” Archie said sharply.

“Give me the boy. I command you.” Allen said as he eyes became blood red and remained that way.

“You would dare try to glean me? You know for a fact a mind such as mine will never submit or succumb to your noxious will.” Archie said in a shocked tone.

“I’m stronger than you remember.” Allen hissed.

“But not strong enough. My dear brother, I implore you to end this quest. End this battle. The outcome will be as before.” Archie pleaded.

“Things are different now!” Allen screamed as he shoved his hand towards Archie.

The simple hand motion sent the man soaring across the room and out of the window. Allen rushed up to the top of the stairs only to meet Archie waiting for him. Archie was breathing heavy as if the wind had been knocked out of him.

“What’s the matter dear brother? You seem to be a bit winded.” Allen said with a dark look on his face.

Archie did not reply to the statement.

He placed his hands in the air and his eyes began to glow a bright white. He motioned his hands as if he was summoning something towards him. The lights inside of the house started to blink as bits of burning white matter flew towards Archie. The lights came together to form a sword of burning brightness. Allen stared with a hint of fear in his eyes as the sword began to shape in Archie’s hands. Austin ran out of the room and witnessed the light sword form with his own eyes.

Allen pushed his hands together and spread them apart which caused a cloud of darkness to form and break into black spikes. He shoved his hands forward and all the dark pieces flew towards his brother. Austin watched in amazement as everything was happening. Allen sprinted towards Austin as Archie used to sword to destroy the black spikes rushing towards him. He swung the sword backward and forward, flipped the sword by the handle, and eradicated every piece within seconds. He flipped the sword once more and turned to stab Allen through the stomach moments before he reached Austin. The sword went straight through Allen but there was no wound in site. Allen merely screamed and turned in to black dust.

The dust began twirling around the room at incredible speeds. Austin could not breath, and Archie fell to the floor as the dust wrapped itself around him. Austin was choking, and tears were flowing from his eyes as they burned from the dust. Archie quickly placed the sword between his hands with one hand on the edge of the blade and the other on the end of the handle. He pushed his hands together and the sword transformed into tiny balls of light that trapped the black dust. Archie managed to get up on his knees and he thrust his hands towards the back wall. The little balls of light flashed, came together, and slammed Allen’s original body against the wall farthest away from Archie and Austin. Allen screamed in anger as he became pinned to the wall. He waved his hand and the room with dark for a moment. A few moments later, the lights were on again, and Allen was gone.

Austin and Archie both looked around the room frantically searching for Allen, but they could not see any sign of him.

“Can he become invisible?” Austin asked with fear in his voice.

“No, don’t be foolish.” Archie said.

“Foolish? The man just turned into dirt and almost murdered both of us. I think my question is justified.” Austin said trying to calm himself.

“He’s gone.” Archie said in an assuring voice.

Austin’s heart was racing while everything was happening, but he started feeling calm before it was over.

“Why am I not as nervous and afraid as I should be?” Austin asked curiously. “Christopher. He’s feeding off your fear because he rarely feels it. Remember, you two are still connected.” Archie said in a certain voice.

“Ahh! Son of a bitch!” James yelled as he rolled on the living room floor in immense pain. His entire right arm was completely black and rotted to the bone.

“James.” Austin said as he reached down and placed his hand on the burnt looking arm.

“Shit! Don’t touch it! Don’t touch it!” James said crying and screaming in pain. “Do something! Help him!” Austin shouted at Archie who was kneeling beside James.

“James, I need you to listen to me. Look into my eyes.” Archie spoke softly. James was screaming and could hardly make his eyes focus from the pain.

“Something is eating through the damn bones in my arm!” James screamed. “Look at me, James. Look into my eyes.” Archie said as his eyes started to glow the same bright white as before. James forced himself to look up at Archie. He winced from the agony of his bones deteriorating, but he made himself look deep into Archie’s eyes. James suddenly went into a trance and became completely silent.

“Stop screaming. Your arm does not hurt at all. Your arm looks as it always has and feels completely normal.” Archie spoke softly.

“Yes. My arm feels completely normal.” James repeated in a hypnotized voice. “You will sit quietly while Austin touches your arm, do you understand?” Archie said in the same soft but firm tone of voice.

“Austin will touch my arm, and I will sit quietly.” James repeated.

“Austin, you have to heal him, now.” Archie said immediately.

“I.. I cannot do this. I am not ready. Christopher. Christopher is stronger. He should do it.” Austin said in a panic. “

Austin, listen to me. You are stronger than you think. You must believe that. Use the medallion. Allow the medallion to guide you. Focus, and heal him.” Archie said without breaking eye contact with James.

Austin touched the quickly dying arm and focused all his thoughts on good memories. The light burst from his hands and surrounded the arm immediately. Austin felt surer of himself and more powerful than he had when he healed Jason. He focused on the thoughts of how he wanted to world to be. He focused on James and Joel and how much they cared for him. He focused on Alex and remembered how much he loved her. The moon medallion started to glow a bright blue as he continued to focus. He closed his eyes and let the warmth of the blue light fill him up. The white light from his hand surrounded James’ decaying arm like a full cast.

“That’s enough, Austin.” Archie said slowly.

Austin continued to focus on James.

“Austin that is enough!” Archie said loudly.

Austin opened his eyes and removed his hand. The light surrounding the arm slowly faded until there was nothing left of it, and all that could be seen was a completely healed arm.

“His liver. His liver is damaged.” Austin said as he looked up at Archie with concern in his eyes.

“Austin, I’m afraid that is not your concern. You cannot change what he has done to himself.” Archie said with sympathy in his voice.

“There has to be something I can do. I cannot just let him kill himself.” Austin said with tears building up in his eyes.

“Then tell him the truth. Tell him about his liver. Give him a chance to save himself and be in control of his own fate.” Archie said slowly.

“He’s distraught, and his mind is twisted from the loss of his kid. Tell him to stop drinking. Use that mind control thing you just did and make him stop.” Austin said firmly.

“I will not glean him into making better choices. I am not allowed to intervene with human behavior in such a way, but you may be able to once you are strong enough.” Archie replied with hope in his tone.

“Then train me. Let’s start now.” Austin said immediately as he looked at James. Archie nodded at Austin, placed a hand on James’ head, and the glean ended with a quick flash of light.

“What happened?” James said as he snapped out of the trance.

“Perhaps I should give you two a chance to talk. Austin, we begin tonight. The rest of the day should give you time to get your affairs in order.” Archie said with great sympathy.

Austin nodded that he understood and watched Archie walk into the bathroom. There was a loud whooshing sound, and they both knew the man was gone.

“James, I can heal people. I healed your arm.” Austin said as he watched his friend examine his arm.

“Thank you.” James said with gratitude in his voice.

“You can thank me by telling me why you are trying to drink yourself to death. What could that possibly accomplish?” Austin asked with great concern.

“We are not discussing what I choose to do, Austin. I am grateful for your help, but I will not be interrogated.” James said as he rose from the floor.

“Yes, you will! You owe me! I just saved your life!” Austin said as his voice started to crack from emotion.

“You would not understand.” James said slowly as he turned his back to Austin. “Then help me to understand. You think I would not understand the pain in losing family? I can assure you that I understand better than anyone else you will ever meet.” Austin said growing frustrated.

“Just let it go, kid.” James said softly.

“No! Look, I’m sorry you lost your son, but this is not the way to react.” Austin said with authority in his voice.

“I said drop it.” James said with his back still turned to Austin.

“Michael is dead, James. Do you think he would proud of what you’ve become? Do you think he would have any sense of pride watching his father destroy himself?” Austin said with knowledge in his tone.

“Enough!” James said as he grabbed Austin by the shoulders and pinned his back to the nearest wall.

“My son does not care what I do. He does not feel pride or anything else because he is dead! He is dead! Now you listen, and you hear me well. I am a grown man. I do what I please, when I please, and I will not be lectured by a goddamn child. I don’t care how special you are. You can’t save everyone! That’s a fact you need to face right here, right now. You hear me, boy?” James screamed with pain and anger burning in his eyes.

“Let him go.” said Joel’s voice as he pulled James away from Austin. “Let him go, James. He is only trying to help you.” Joel said softly.

James released Austin and grabbed Joel by the throat with both hands. He squeezed as hard as he could as he pinned the man against the wall.

“What television show did we talk about the first time we visited Austin? What story did I tell the two of you?” James asked roughly.

“Smallville, and the first time you ever drank alcohol.” Joel replied with a strain as James choked him.

James released the man immediately and took a deep breath to regain his composure. “That’s right. Sorry, I had to make sure you were really you this time.” James said after a few moments.

“This time?” Joel asked in a confused voice as he coughed and place a hand on his own neck.

“It’s a long story. Austin can fill you in on what happened. I’m going to bed.” James said trying to hide the sorrow in his voice.

He walked to the kitchen for a moment and returned with a glass full of brown liquid. He stared at Austin for a few seconds then sluggishly moved up the stairs.

“He needs help, Joel.” Austin said with tears in his eyes.

“I know, but I’m afraid he has to want it first. Until then, there is sadly nothing anyone can do for him.” Joel said in a small sad tone.

A couple of hours later, Austin had filled Joel in on everything that had happened before he arrived.

“He looked like me?” Joel asked in complete shock.

“Yes, he looked and sounded exactly like you.” Austin explained.

“You say he had something in his pocket that reacted to this medallion you have?” Joel asked trying to make sense of it all.

“Yes, I believe it was another medallion. It looks like the sun, and it burned through his pants when it got close to my medallion.” Austin explained slowly.

“How do you think the Lange brothers are capable of bending light like you described?” Joel asked.

“I honestly have no idea, but I do not believe they are simply bending light. I think it is more of a combination of everything by controlling light and dark matter. I have been giving this a lot of thought over the past few hours, and I truly believe that is what they did.” Austin said in a semi confident tone.

“What do you mean?” Joel asked in a fascinated voice.

“It’s like a light bulb. Imagine how a room looks when there is no light and compare it to how it looks full of light. Without the light bulb on, there is darkness all around because it is always there. With the light bulb is on, there is bright light all around because it is always there. Both light and dark matter is always around and can be changed or used. The brightness from the light bulb enhances the bright matter that lives inside the dark matter, and the absence of the light from the bulb enhances the darkness that lives inside the light matter. Almost like a cloaking effect. I believe they each can control the matter. One can control the dark and the other controls the light.” Austin said trying to make his own logic make sense to himself as well as Joel.

“You mean like energy. You’re talking about energy. It can never be destroyed but it can be changed, used, and transferred.” Joel said allowing his knowledge to shine through his voice.

“Exactly! Energy. Positive energy and negative energy. The two positives being the bright matter and Archie. The negative being the dark matter and Allen.” Austin said with excitement as Joel understood his theory.

“So, in theory, the brothers are like magnets? The positive repels the positive and negative repels the negative. So, Archie pulls the positive energy to him and makes it a part of him, and when he releases it because he cannot contain it, it’s like pushing the positive ends of two magnets together. The positive matter repels and is used as a weapon because it is drawn to the negative.” Joel said growing more excited with each thought. “Precisely, and Allen does the same with negative matter. Austin said with great enthusiasm.

“And since two negatives make a positive and all positives have a negative for balance even if only the negative which created them, Allen and Archie are basically feeding off each other in a way. Is that not strange?” Joel asked quickly which showed his level of excitement.

“Yes, they are, and no it is not strange once I think about it. Christopher feeds off me. My anger, my sorrow, and my pain make him stronger, and when he felt good about letting me heal Jason at the hospital, I felt stronger and he almost passed out as I fed off the small amount of good he felt. Everything is one giant cycle.” Austin said carefully.

“Are you saying…” Joel asked as he understood Austin’s thinking with horror on his face.

“Yes, even people. People have both good and evil, dark and bright inside of them. The Lange brothers can control people if they wanted, and I will be able to do the same once I’ve finished my training.” Austin said as he realized what Archie meant about not understanding the power he and Christopher truly possess.

“So, you can make people completely good?” Joel asked slowly.

“Yes. Or I can make them completely evil. That’s why Allen came to get me. He does not actually want me. He wants Christopher.” Austin said with a look of horror on his face as well. “This moon medallion gives me strength, and the sun medallion must do the same for Christopher.” Austin added as everything came together inside his mind. “So, you were chosen to protect us all from ourselves, but…” Joel let his sentence trail.

“But I could be the very thing that you all need protection from.” Austin said completing Joel’s sentence.

“Austin, we have to figure out a way to keep you safe. To keep all of us safe.” Joel said trying to hide his fear behind a confident tone.

“I know, but I have no idea how.” Austin replied slowly.

The two of them sat in silence for a while and tried their best to think of a solution. Joel’s lip began to quiver as the thought entered his mind, and his eyes became moist with tears. Austin had a sad look on his face, and he looked up at Joel with innocent eyes. He noticed the pained look on his friend’s face, and he knew that they had come to the same conclusion.

“You know, don’t you?” Austin asked in a quiet voice.

“No, I do not know. I have no idea what you are talking about, Austin.” Joel replied trying to shield his tears from his young friend.

“You’ve never been a great liar, Joel. It’s okay; if this proves to be our only option then I am ready.” Austin said bravely.

“There has to be another way.” Joel sniffled as he spoke.

“There may be, but we have to face the reality of the situation Joel.” Austin spoke softly.

“Don’t talk like that!” Joel cried as he turned his back to Austin. Joel cried softly with his back turned and a hand over his eyes.

“We will try everything else. I promise, but if all else fails…” Austin let his sentence fade.

“Okay, I understand.” Joel said trying to pull himself together.

“Will you do it, Joel? If the time comes, will you do what is required?” Austin asked as he placed a hand on Joel’s shoulder.

There was silence except for the sound of Joel crying into his hands.

“Yes.” Joel managed to say through his tears.

“Promise me, Joel. Promise me that you will protect everyone if I cannot.” Austin said as he watched his friend weep.

“I promise.” Joel managed to say after a few moments.

He turned around and hugged Austin like he was trying to shelter the boy from the world around him. Austin returned the embrace, and the two stood with each other as best friends, as brothers, and as family.

“It’s okay, Joel. I’m not afraid to die for everyone else. This is why I was made. I will go fearlessly and peacefully if you do it. I will know that someone else cared enough to share my burden.” Austin spoke bravely to his friend.

Joel broke down and cried harder as he squeezed to boy tight.

Joel wiped his eyes and finally managed to control his emotions, and he looked at Austin with pride as he broke the embrace.

“You are a good person, Austin. Whatever it is you may actually be, you are more human than most people who walk on this planet. You are a good man.” Joel reassured his young friend.

Austin smiled and felt the warmth fill his entire body from the kind words. He needed to hear those words coming from someone.

“I am a good person.” He thought to himself and believed it for the first time in a long time.

“Archie says we have to start training later tonight, but before he returns, I would like to go home for a while. I have to talk to Alex as well.” Austin said.

“She already knows. She came to me and told me about what you did at the hospital. She told me that you wanted me to tell her everything.” Joel said with confusion in his voice.

“It’s okay. She was telling the truth. I need to talk to her about all of it myself. Besides, last time I did not even get a chance to say goodbye. She has to know that I…” Austin said before being interrupted.

“I understand. The family is not at home by the way. I sent them away until everything was safe.” Joel said.

“That is probably for the best. Even if I am in control now, neither of us could guarantee their safety at this point.” Austin said in an understanding tone.

The two of them walked out of the house and towards Joel’s car, but Austin stopped and turned around.

“What are you doing?” Joel asked curiously.

“I forgot something. I will only be a minute.” Austin said as he returned to the house.

He walked through the door and went directly to the kitchen. He looked under the cabinet and found eight bottles of whiskey stashed away. He sat them on the table and looked inside of the refrigerator. There were another three bottles inside, and he placed them on the table beside the others. He opened them one by one and poured each one down the drain. He ran back outside shutting the door behind him.

“What did you forget?” Joel asked Austin once Austin was in the car.

“To thank James for being such a great friend.” Austin said with a weak smile. Joel simply looked at Austin for a moment, started the car, and drove away.