Journey to the North

I felt I was walking on eggshells. God Hams escorted me inside his room. A large bright walls and furniture he used to sit and a table where he spend most of his time like other gods.

"Why'd you come here guardian?" He asked. He sauntered past my side.

"I want to move out. Let me live in the heaven of God Zhang. I feel safer there. There's a rumour about Lu planning to attack the West" My feet felt cold. The temperature inside God Hams' room felt like winter.

He combed his beard with his finger, "That's why I need you here. You must stay close. We don't know if they're trying to trick us. I know my brother. He'll do that smartest way to get the rings". He's a godparent wearing a white cloak and a long grey hair. You can't see much of his face because of the bright light inside the room.

"A lot has changed God Hams. Much of my knowledge I attained by working as a guardian general helped me to become who I am today. I'll have the best guardians as my entourage. I'll keep the six rings safe from Lu, his disciples and other enemies after it." I perfunctorily bowed down to say good-bye.

"What do you mean other enemies? Is there a tribe after it?" He questioned. His hands shaken as if he's afraid of what he's heard, he pressed his hand on the table.

I wrestled to speak. "Yes my Lord, an identified group of men wearing black cloak was seen entering the verdict castles. They are very good at hiding. My top guardians are looking after them. Don't worry I can outsmart them."

"Is that the case? How long will you be staying at the North?" He kept on brushing his beard, "Lu will never stop looking for you. I know he has his people waiting at the North for you. You'll be caught by them. Be careful! Or is this about the boy ten years ago?" He opened his eyes wide.

"Forgive me but you're mistaken about that. I had no relation to that traitor again. I haven't heard from him since then" I walked off after greeting him for respect the last time.

"Wait. Don't walk off, you must bring these. The God parents wanted you to have this." He reached for a blue-stoned necklace - A diamond blue necklace.

"What is this?" I grabbed it from his hand. I scrutinized it very clearly.

"It's a precious gem from my mother. You must keep it along the six rings. It will lead you away from the danger. Once its light vibrates, you'll going to feel it. I suggest run as fast as you can." I was rattling when he said that.

"I must leave now. Thank you so much" I bowed again and left.

I talked to some of my strongest guardians along the journey. We will change the colour of our cloak and the symbol we had in our body. We changed it to water, the sign of North. We will leave at early time. The packages for God Zhang are being ready. Mostly they are wines. The sword and the food for time being are put in a table cloth. Time for the journey will be long days and nights. We will be given each one horses to be used for the travel. God Hams lurked inside his window as we rode the horses. Other guardians are watching over the castle.

The city lights down the earth can be seen from the sky. It's like small dots on a circular platter. I was wavering my hands feeling the cold blocking my palms.

"General we will depart in five days. Please be guided of our arrival. We must remain quiet and line up to the entrance along the other guardians. It will make us less visible from Lu's disciple if they were there." One of the guardians uttered as he mounted the horse's side.

"Yah!" I heard the horse's neigh and we began to fly apart from the heaven's land. The heaven is floating and the land is mere clouds. The castle is standing on a grass and it was built in wall glasses and crystal floors. You can see the earth from below which is transparent to the glasses. It was quiet and deafening to travel at night. The horses were pedalling for a long time now.

"Let's rest here for now!" I told the guardians. Everyone was exhausted from sitting. We can use our wings in travelling from heaven to heaven but it will wear us out for few days. Everyone was lying flat on the air. If we don't tame the horses, it will go somewhere. I fed my horse and gave it some water to drink. It pants heavily with loads of bags on its back despite how cold the night is.

"General why don't you tell us a story about your journey's to the Earth, you're the oldest guardian in our heaven. Your life must be interesting." One of the guardians said as he remained floating along the clouds. His two hands were behind his head and he just stared at the blank sky above him.

I chortled at him. "What do you mean? Don't ask questions as if you've never been there?" I loosen and laid the same position as him.

"We heard the stories about you and the man named Xi. They say he came from earth. He's a rare bread. He's half-human and half-guardian. Some says he's the son of God Zhang and a daughter of a lowly servant from North." I almost chocked. These guardians know nothing about him or Lu or the dragon. They are too clueless. He's nothing compared to a child born from a forbidden relationship. He's the only dragon everyone shouldn't mess around with. He became a myth due to its beyond belief ability and power.

"I didn't know there are lots of gossips in heaven" I grabbed the wine from the bag.

"Let's drink tonight while I tell you some stories I know" I uttered. I was bouncing off the walls and couldn't content my excitement about my adventures on earth. Hiding was easy for an invisible guardian like me. Earth was too big for them to find me. I can go to Europe or Asia or anywhere. Human life was filled with misery just because some people put too much value in money and job.

I sighed effortlessly as I sip the wine I took out of the bag. "Years ago I was on my trip to Spain. I've been there hundreds of times. It was my favourite place since I like how fast they speak. I was obsessed with the language. It was so childish to want to become a human when you're already a guardian but trust me it's simpler that way. Falling in love and to be able to die one day after that is such a fulfilment". I smiled. It reminds me of those times when I actually experienced all of it as I see people grow up and grow old. I see how they die too. It was a movie except I'm not watching it on a show. I remember Cory. She's a young girl who married his best friend Jack. She was a radio host in Verona and her lover was a physician 6 years older than her. He used to give her the small blue flowers called forget-me-nots every time he was headed to Verona for a vacation since he works overseas. They had the perfect love story until they die. They're somewhere I don't know and it happened fast. I'm guilty of being this nosy every time.

"Have any of you fallen in love with human?" I asked each one while still seeping the wine.

"I wish I can marry one." I wriggled looking at the guardian in the back. He seemed delighted as he speaks. My face bustled towards him. "What do you mean?" I pretended to be shocked even though I know exactly what he means. It made my heart flutter a bit.

"I met this one beautiful precious girl. She came to North Italy back in 50's. Time before was different than now". I heard his voice turned crestfallen. With his hands on his face, his eyes burst tears. He was sobbing.

"Please don't cry!" I guessed the girl died.

"Of course she married a human. They're both living old now having six grandchildren. Guess what? I've never seen her that happy her entire life. I was right there watching her grow old. All I can do was watch. And that hurts the most." He continued his overwhelming cry. I can't help but feel the same pain as any guardians. It wasn't the first time for any guardians. They've all experienced it.

"Weak men cries – a saying on earth" he chuckled but I said no "Nobody is ever man enough to still keep loving the same person despite the impossibility of being with them for how long the guardians can live. The person may die but the love assuredly remains in your heart" I'd say the worst of all the worst. Humans are lucky because we guardians, all we hoped for was death to be bestowed upon us.

The guardian was doubtless kept it for a long time and it took him this trip to open up, he still cries.

"What about you, small guy?" I turned my eyes to him.

"Me?" He chortled. "I was gay" Not new. "Believe me I was spellbound by this crazy love. I never expected I will fall head over heels with this white greyed hair and wrinkled eyes old man. He's fifty. When I had the chance to be a human as I wished for it and luckily it was granted but only for a day, I took the chance to kiss him and we made love that night. I appeared on his dreams but I never laid my hands on him, never touch even. He talked to me like no one else. He made me feel things. It was sure love" his smile anchored to his cheeks, "He died after a few years. Wherever he was, I'm sure he had me on it." He laid his back flat as his wings flapped tirelessly.

"What's your name crybaby?" I checked on the guardian who still was rubbing his eyes after the last drop of tear came out of his eyes.

"I don't cry often. Don't get me wrong. It's just now. I still get involve with any woman I want" He backed up. "Are you one of those playboy?" I asked him.

He smirked and said confidently, "Never".

There were five guardians escorting me to the North.

"What was your name?" I asked the third boy. His eyes were big, tall and have a well-built body.

"I'm Marco. I'm Feng's brother. I changed my name because I don't like it. I'm the guardian of Brayden Lopez", he speaks fast as if he was on a talking race.

"Are you in a hurry or rude?" I rolled my eyes. "Both" he answered. He was laughing horribly and he was cute.

"Who's Brayden Lopez?" I jerked my head around.

He sighed and smiled forcefully as he looked down on us. "He's a Mafia boss from Los Angeles. You heard of that city?" As startled as I was I hated California.

"Who wouldn't remember that city? As soon as we're gone, so as their career" I rolled my eyes again for the second time. Too much memories with that city and people are just crazy about fame. The Hollywood stars when they die we get to see their show for the last time. It's the most heart breaking and tiring at the same time. We guardians are used to it.

"I had a mission one time in LA. I was a guardian of a drug addict tattoo artist named Henry. Well, henry was nice and kind. He never hurt anyone except himself. He locked himself inside his house and pretends he doesn't exist. It always happens every time he sees his girl Lolita walking around with a macho barber Christopher just across the street to eat Burritos. They're sweet but I always feel bad for him and it was a mental and heart torture" I still grasp every time I share his love story. "Years later Henry and Lolita got happily married and after just four years felt like seconds, she ran away to Mexico with Christopher".

"I'm sorry but that's unusually not what happened." An unfamiliar voice whispered on my left ear. I was taken aback and fell out of balance. "Oops I'm sorry" he giggled.

"Forgiven, who are you?" Of course another nice looking guardian this time he was undoubtedly handsome almost in the level of Xi.

I grinned at him. "Hello! Take of your hat. I don't much recognize your face"

"Sorry. I'm the hat guardian. I'm usually quiet but when I heard you speak about Henry, Lolita and Christopher. You exaggerated the story a bit."

"What do you mean?" I was suspicious.

He moved closer to me and our faces almost just inches distant to each other. "Move away!" I was rattled. My heart got crazy. It reminds me of Xi almost cornered me at the wall.

"I'm Lolita Perez's guardian angel" he confidently announced to everyone.

"Okay" I gave him my stern look, "please proceed" I unexcitedly said.

He was always grinning. He got a little bit excited. "Lolita Perez was Christopher's first love. They met in High School and decided to be girlfriend and boyfriend. Henry was always anxious about him because he couldn't accept Christopher getting all the best. Best parents, best life and best girlfriend. He got a boring tattoo salon and a fat cat murphy".

"You're so mean!" I rolled my eyes again for the third time. "Wait. Don't judge me. Christopher told Lolita one day that he was Henry's real half-brother. Henry doesn't like him at all. In fact he hated him, he just doesn't show. Henry knows that since he's just four."

End of the pathetic story. This guy has his way with words. I know it's all fabricated. No one knows what that Christopher told Lolita to backstab Henry.

"Aren't you going to ask me?" The quietest of all the guardians, he's Milo. He doesn't need to introduce himself. I've known him since he came to the West from South. He's famous for starting fights and arguments with the other guardians. He's quite an observer. If he notices a thing he doesn't like, he'll make a fuss about it. He's the debater of his class. He has a big mouth when it comes to issues on every heaven. He liked it when he wins.

I pretend I didn't hear it. I scrutinized my glass until I no longer see any wine 'cause his gaze made me drink all of it. It made me coughed simultaneously. "I can't breathe", I held my chest.

The good-for-nothing guardian rubbed my back thinking I've forgotten what he just told about Henry. "Okay stop. I'm fine", he hid his hand awkwardly and pretended to look elsewhere.

"Thanks for the rub though" me awkward too.

It was almost daylight and I'm missing the last guardian escorting me to the North. Anyways I frankly feel unease asking Milo. His gaze never turned away. He's looking at me like I was about to be interrogated. He has messy hair almost blocking half of his upper eyes covering all his eyelids. He has this habit to rest his arms on top of his knees as he sat down. "Ask me general?" his voice got sensual.

I opened my eyes wide it sounded disgusting to my ears. He seemed about to seduce the guardian of the six rings on this one. "You better speak properly. I'm the general guardian if you've forgotten!" I almost stuttered.

"Sorry, so can I share mine?" He was serious. "WHAAATTTTT?!!" He pecked me! I almost pummelled him until one of the guardians who had the gut behind stopped me.

"Kiss" he turned his back "That's what I want to do. I'll have a great story next time I sat with a group of people. I will tell them I KISSED THE GUARDIAN OF SIX RINGS", the entourage laughed at his joke.

"Do you have a death wish?" My fist was still on the move to punch him. He flew next to his horse.

I laughed, "Afraid of a girl" He answered back like a moron "afraid of a kiss?" They laughed again.

"Want to do it again?" His mouth wouldn't shut up. I gave him a glare. My monstrous deadly glare but not a single one of them affect him. The south probably taught him how to be a fearless moron and a freak. What a joke!

I raised my glass for another drink, "Let's not waste this early time, it's nearly daylight. We must continue our journey". Everyone raised their glass too.

The sun was shining brightly before our eyes. "Let's move!" I packed my things and rode back to my horse. Wait the last guardian, the Alpha. The famed six-winged who had a golden skin. I would say he has resemblance with a face of a God from the four heavens than Xi who's the son of Lu. He's too heavenly for anyone to notice. My guardian crush – Zhang. The Asian look guardian known to have more sense in modern fashion was too dreamlike. "Wake up genera! Your spittle is drooling", Embarrassing! My spit! When I see him I suddenly got lost.

"Hey everyone", he gave me his stern charming look "I'm Zhang. I live the closest to God Hams. I owe him my life. When I was a baby I drowned and died but with the blood Of God from the cut of his finger I came to life again and became a permanent guardian of West".

Milo laughed arrogantly, "No need to tell the same story over and over again. You got lucky that's all!" His eyes got furious. He seemed jealous.

"Stop it Milo, what has gotten to you?" I steered the middle course when I pushed him gently away from him. "Let's continue this talk while we precede our voyage.

"Why does it have to only have one female guardian?" he murmured. He kicked the horse's stomach and raced forward. He's too dramatic. He has a petty issue with a female guardian. "Well guess what? I'm the alpha female guardian. I won't marry ever!"

He stopped his horse, "If you changed your mind, marry me".

"No the general guardian won't marry you. I want to have a wife too. Perhaps she will have to choose between us" Zhang interrupted glancing over me. Milo smirked unbothered by Zhang's words. "Let's see!" He continued to wander off.

"Guardians let's move! We have to stop on the next nearby abode. It was a special house owned by a very special lady. Don't argue or make any fuss". I warned the remaining guardians.

"You should tell it to Milo general, his mouth is uncontrollable sometimes" Yuan, the crybaby joked. He soared from us and raced fast to Milo. "Wait for me!"

It took another twelve hours for us to depart to Lady Ming's house. Lady Ming is a principled and polished doctor in Heaven. Master Q taught her medicine. She's the wife of Master Q. She used to be a servant but with the blessing of Hams, she became the only respected lady of Heaven.

"Remember to bow your head when you see her" I instructed the guardians under my name.

Her house smelled like cherry blossom. The yard was filled with Prunus taller than the gates. It blossoms for lifetime like the bushes of roses in Verdic castle.

She wore a red kimono and bowed to greet each of us. "Hello madam. I am the guardian of six rings. Perhaps master Q have told you already our short stay inside your abode".

"The famous guardian of six rings, it was a pleasure to meet you!" his red lipsticks are too overwhelming, "Kindly enter my humble home" she paddled her hands repeatedly," Yes my husband told me about your visit. Don't worry you're always welcome inside my house" She smiled wildly still flaunting her thick red lipstick and giant jade necklace around her neck. I supposed this woman was into extravagance and luxury, very opposite to his husband who wore the same old outfit for many years.

We sauntered inside her home. The grand staircase stole our attention. The house is gigantic for a 2-storey. The chandelier elevated from both ends of the ceiling. It is as bright as God Hams' place. Her house was long and endless. The sofas are huge.

"Have a sit", Lady Ming offered us a spacious 10-seat tawny Cabriole.

I'm captivated with the interior design of her house. The guardians stumbled as they got distracted and skulked to the seat. We're stepping on a glittered cloud. Trees of cherry blossoms are around everywhere.

She sat too on a single seat chair just in front of us. Her hair was lengthy and purple.

"How's your travel so far?" she sipped on a white tea cup.

"We're great! The guardians are behaving well and we're still figuring out where to stay in the North. We haven't told God Zhang about our visit yet. The attackers are just plotting and doing everything to take the six rings. They're after me".

"Lu and his people, they never get tired of it. They're always chasing you. It seemed eternal"

She rose from her seat.

"This is all I can help, my home. It's open for the guardians of the West" she smiled wildly again. She had a stern face that would scare little children but she's a lady who helped and treated thousands of guardians. She became immortal after that. That's her heaven's gift.

"I must go now. I have a new born child waiting for me" She's referring to her room on the second floor. As she walks with class and straight poise, her legs began to stumble.

Milo was gazing at me. He sat like he owns the place. His shoulders are on top of the couch together with his arms. "Why are you staring at me like an idiot?" I asked me as I looked away. The tense on my feet as they shake made me so uncomfortable.

"Pardon me?" He asked. He accurately knows how to make anyone feel awkward around her. His stern face moved closer to mine as we were sitting next to each other, "Stop!" I was agitated.

"You better stop messing around or you'll regret it!" He always had to display his austere attitude like a child.

"Why don't we continue or talk right here? I don't think it ended nicely along the trip." Both guardians felt awkward especially Milo and Zhang. "What about the South where you come from Milo? Tell us about how they raised a good guardian like you" I joked horribly. I jerked my head around to see his reaction" He just rose and walked off.

"Hey where are you going?" I slightly panicked.

"I can't answer stupid questions" He told me disinterested and left.

He's really different. Always ignoring questions he doesn't want to answer. It's almost night time and I worried about what God Zhang would say if he found out we're coming and staying at his heaven. It is possible that he'll have violent reaction to it but he's kinder and understanding than that. I remembered what Xi told me. He used God Zhang as his fake father. Everything is connected to each other. It made me more suspicious especially he knows more about Lu and the dragon. It is possible he's steering in the middle of the course between me and Lu and Xi. God Zhang is Lu's youngest brother.

Days have passed. We remained at Lady Ming's care for two more days. Her house brought us closer to our destination. Her home was designed to move like a vehicle bussing people to where they want to go and we are her passenger. We have to travel for another twenty-four hours after that but with our horses. It'll be a bumpy ride since storm is coming. Lady Ming warned us about the storm that can delay the hours for days. I'm still thinking about the new tribe who's after the six rings. They can probably detect that we're gone in the West. They live on the storm. Their eyes are sharper in this kind of adversity.

I saw Lady Ming walk down the stairs for the second time since I saw her the first day she toured us on lounge. We've spent the two days talking and fighting basically.

She was smiling as she walked closer. She handed me a knife just in case we bumped into any fights along the way. "I poured a magic potion on this knife, you'll know what it is for when you needed it", she waved us good-bye and we then headed north. We'll have to wait another night before the storm landed as what Lady Ming said.

"Boys we must go!"

"Yah" one of the guardians signalled.

I looked down for the last time. I can see Lady Ming still waving her hands.

The sky grew dark and hazy.

The other guardian bolted at the sound of thunder. "The weather is truly bad! So this is the storm then".

"No, the storm will begin tomorrow, we must remain serene".

"Lady Ming is quite unsure of the weather. She probably meant tonight not tomorrow!" he replied.

Zhang interrupted, "I think she lied to us. Or she's trying to trick us. General the weather is getting heavy, we should go back!"

"No Zhang, we can't. We're already far from Lady Ming's house. If we go back we're going to waste another time. You heard what she told us, she can't help us to get through. It's too dangerous". I said.

The guardians are rattling. It seemed they are right. I thought the storm will arrive tomorrow. The thunder and the wind are blood-curdling. It's like the sky is maddened. It's too cold. I can't even surpass the weather. "OH NOOO! It rains", Milo face were frightened and dismayed of the rain. He kept pulling his wet hair back.

"NOOOOO, YUAN MOVEEE!!!" Milo got struck by the lightning. He's heading fast and quick. It struck him in the chest. Now I realized, the enemy is the weather. I can't make it stop. I need God Hams to consider making the storm stop. It's impossible he can't hear us. Milo's bleeding. "I'm sorry Milo, General what should we do?" everyone's screaming and panicking. The situation is going crazy. The packages all fell from the horse.

"Get the bag. I have an ointment inside, rub it on the wound. It will heal immediately!" I instructed Zhang to treat him. I must think of ways on how we can get through this storm. I was panting heavily. I'm trying to use my power. It will block the rain and thunder to fall to us. It's like a blue light shield. My powers are weak at this moment and I don't know who's controlling it.

"Stay close. I will cover you!" I told the guardians.

"I will help you!" Zhang used his power too. He made clones of himself to lift the heavy shield.

"Thank you Zhang! For now this will withstand the storm!" I bustled towards Milo to check his wound.

"Are you okay Milo", my worried voice seemed to entertain him.

"Yes general. Now that you're here!" he grinned. He seriously needs to stop being a weirdo to me. I'm glad that he's okay. He saved Yuan from getting struck by the lightning. These are the guardians that I need the one who can save the other and knows when to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. These are the guardians I've trained for the past years.

"You did a good job Milo! You saved Yuan and you too Zhang for helping build the shield against the storm. Everyone did a good job!" I gave each one a beamed of pleasure.

The storm began to be moderate after a few hours. Everyone's resting. I couldn't rest because of the new tribe that could kill us anytime if we don't scrutinize the area. Zhang is still awake. He's helping me look after the others. "Zhang you can take a rest, I will keep an eye on here".

"No general. I know you're tired too. I can't just let you do all the work! We are your entourage, we came here to guard you and protect you not for you to do the same to us".

I'm still holding the knife Lady Ming gave to me. If I must kill the enemy, I will do it anytime now. I'm ready like a tiger on a hunt. But Zhang started to act weird again. He kept moving close to me. I'm losing my focus and can't concentrate. "Zhang what are you doing?"

"You're cold. My body is warm. It will help you get heated for the time being".

"Okay", I felt inconvenient. I tried to convince myself he's just trying to help. If I get sick because of the cold I don't think I'll be able to fight the new tribe. I'm still adjusting to the surrounding since I lost my invisibility. It is as if I have a bona fide skin.

I can feel his head lying on my shoulder. His eyes were half-closed. I told him to take a rest but he didn't listen now I feel sleepy too. It is okay that he's here beside me. I get to have a comforter and a good-looking guardian watching over the others.