Card Collections: Guardian of Fire Magic

Also by iwantyours

"We are the only ones with any chance of pulling this off." The somewhat bulky red Acara paced the room fitfully. "If we make the tiniest mistake, we're bust. Focus only on your goal."

     "Yes, Malik." Jacob was a Grarrl. A very small Grarrl for his age; much thinner than was usual, and nothing like what many pets expected from one of his kind. He had taken on the job because, as a long-time homeless pet, it was his only chance--he couldn't beg and steal forever. Of course, the poster had not given specific details; only the promise of riches and fame. Now he was in over his head with no way of fighting his way out.

     "Jacob, I'm warning you for the last time: stay hidden until I give the signal."

     "I know. You've told me about thirty times this morning."

     "Don't," Malik said, wagging his finger, "try my patience. We leave in three hours time. I expect you to be ready and waiting when our taxis arrive."

     Head throbbing, Jacob made his way out of the over bright office with its glaring clock and bright red walls, and into a much darker and more forbidding street. Even in the middle of the day, it seemed as if night was beginning to gather overhead, draining the light and the life from everything. Every other house was an abandoned wreck; their occupants most likely losing the battle of survival. Just like him. Just another weakling, angry at the world, with nowhere to go and nothing to call his own. This was his chance, and he was going to take it.

     He began to walk, his bare, clawed feet slapping at the grey concrete. Dark clouds were rolling over him and Jacob thought he'd felt a trickle of rain drip onto his red hide.

     "Stupid Neopian weather..." he grumbled, glancing up at the sky. He kept walking, looking for the spot near the Notice Board where he had first noticed the post about riches. A gluttonous grin spread over Jacob's unusually thin face. The young Grarrl was already a reliable thief - stealing from the Hidden Tower would be no problem!

     He laughed the sound ringing in the empty street. His brown eyes found the spot where he had been living all his life. It was a slightly grassy patch, which was now glistening from the shower of light rain. A tattered brown blanket was strewn next to this patch. Jacob was quite a territorial Grarrl, so he had hammered in a small wooden sign which had words carved into them: 'Jacob's Spot.'

     The rain was cascading down quicker and more forcefully than before, so Jacob quickened his walk into a quick jog, grabbing a large leaf from a nearby tree and held it carefully over his head. He squinted through the heavy rain and when he got to the place where he slept, Jacob felt around for his sodden blanket. He crawled under it, listening to the rain pound down on his back.

     Jacob had decided earlier that he would take a nap and save all his energy for the trip up to Faerieland.

     "I wonder what will be inside the Hidden Tower..." murmured Jacob, smiling, "I've heard rumours before about what lies inside... I even know where it is! Soon, I will live like a rich Neopian - oh, I can't wait!"

     *

     Two and a half hours later, he opened his eyes on a dripping world riddled with puddles and dotted with the occasional miserable face. Thirty minutes left. Then we'll see who the real loser is. With a dark smile, he retraced his steps to the end of the dark alleyway where the entrance to the office complex was to be found.

     "You're early." Malik crept out from the shadows like a malevolent spirit, hulking yet graceful. Jacob impulsively took a step backwards. "That's a good sign."

     "Yes. I can't wait," he replied. "It'll be just like you said - just like taking candy from a baby." Against the clouds above, a pair of dark shapes appeared. Eyries with pelts of shadow. One after the other, they swept down in a flurry of black feathers and folded their wings at their sides.

     "Eyrie Taxis at your service," said the first of them, bowing low on one knee momentarily then snapping up to resume watching them with beady, suspicious eyes.

     "Good. Very good. I believe we discussed the matter of the fare previously?" The two shared a small smile.

     "Yes, of course."

     "Then we have no time to lose." Obediently, the Eyries crouched down so that their passengers could climb on board. Jacob's stomach churned. He had seen pictures of Faerieland, a place that had always seemed mythical to him. It was thousands of feet above the ocean; surely too far for even an experienced flyer. But then, what did he know?

     "Ready to go?"

     "Yes, yes! To Faerieland!"

     Jacob dug his fingers into the Eyrie's ruff desperately as they lifted from the ground. Once they were clear of the tallest buildings, which happened almost immediately, they picked up speed. Malik seemed almost to relish the wind whipping through his fur and making his eyes stream; Jacob, on the other hand, was trying very hard not to panic.

     "Don't worry!" the Acara screamed over the roaring wind. "It only takes ten minutes to get there!"

     Below them, the deep blue oceans rolled endless waves against the shores of the world. Thousand-acre forests became green splotches against golden deserts and silvery plains. Above them, the thin layer of cloud drew closer and closer.

     Then, with no warning at all, they were facing Faerieland. A glimmering, mirage-like city suspended on the surface of a web of giant clouds. The most beautiful sight on the face of Neopia. But Jacob was only worried about one thing.

     "Here we are," Malik said. "Our destination is in the deeper reaches of the inner city. We have to get at least that far without raising suspicion."

     The Eyries flew forward - the suspended cloud seemed to be surrounded by some sort of glittering magic. It didn't seem to be doing anything. Just for decoration, thought Jacob, or maybe it just shows the border of Faerieland? The Eyries flew through it, none the less.

     They landed on a soft cloud, where other visitors to Faerieland were landing. Jacob, having never travelled this far before, was amazed at how the faeries had made this cloud easy to stand on.

     "Faerie magic," he heard Malik say to him. The Acara had dismounted from his Eyrie smoothly and was now ambling towards him. The Eyries looked ready to take off, so Jacob got off his Eyrie. He stumbled slightly, and ended up on his back. He could hear a 'tut' noise above him. He looked up.

     Malik was holding his paw out, smirking slightly. Jacob grabbed his paw and pulled himself up, looking slightly embarrassed. The Eyries had set off already - they were now fading. Jacob was amazed at there speed.

     "Come on, Jacob. We have to go now," muttered Malik, starting to walk past the Wheel of Excitement. The red Grarrl hurried after his boss, filled with excitement. He'd never really been anywhere except Neopia Central. He spied a beautiful faerie with a tail. She was lounging around in a set of what looked like hot springs.

     Jacob pointed at her and said, "Why is that faerie in water? She must be a Water Faerie..."

     Malik nodded and said, "Correct. They are the Healing Springs. Injured pets go there and the Water Faerie - who is very kind indeed - heals them. Quite simple, really." He strode on, so Jacob had to jog slightly to keep up. They were entering Faerie City now. Before them stood the Faerie Castle in which Queen Fyora and her council lived.

     "Where's the Hidden Tower, then?" asked Jacob. Malik looked at him in shock and hissed, "Keep your voice down, will you?"

     Abashed, the Grarrl fell silent, and contented himself with getting a good look at the city and people around him. After all, he reasoned, the more he knew about it, the easier it would be to escape if they had to. Not that it would come to that. Their plan was perfect; even the Faeries themselves would have no idea what hit them until the two thieves were both long gone.

     It was early enough that most shops were still open in the city; bustling crowds of Faeries and pets brushed past them, desperate to get to their bargain of choice before someone else did. Malik led the way for the rest of their journey-closer and closer to the cluster of towers that made up the central palace. The closer they got, the fewer pets they saw. Eventually, the crowd thinned out completely.

     "This way. Move as quickly and quietly as possible."

     "Gotcha."

     They crept in quiet footsteps down an alleyway next to the palace wall. It seemed to Jacob that they were moving in circles; each building they passed looked the same as the last one, and he was growing impatient. Finally, they stopped dead in view of an enormous watch tower.

     "You do remember the plan, don't you?"

     "Of course."

     "Wait here, then. I'll go do my part. When the time comes, I will give you the signal as planned." The Acara slipped away, staying close to the wall of the tower. When he came to the door, he produced a scroll and rapped three times on the heavy wood. The Faerie disappeared from the window to answer it. Jacob listened intently, but could hear nothing of the conversation that followed. His heart was beating a heavy drum in his chest. This is it.

     Jacob stood motionless, waiting for the Light Faerie to walk out. Malik told him that he would spin a tale about someone needing help with something downstairs. The Acara also said that he would tell the simple-minded Faerie that he was sure someone needed help, so please keep looking until she found that person. To save even more time, Malik would walk out with the Light Faerie so he could keep her busy. The Faerie would take a very long time, so then Jacob would run in and steal everything in the Hidden Tower! It was fool proof.

     Suddenly, the Faerie and Malik walked out. The Faerie started a brisk walk - Malik nodded to Jacob and then followed the girl, snatching up a conversation with her almost immediately. Jacob waited until no one was in sight, then ran through the Watch Tower and spotted a lilac door, which was locked. Jacob took out a key which Malik had given him. The Acara had not said how he got it, just that it would open almost anything.

     "Please work..." muttered Jacob, shoving the key in the lock and then twisting. The door had opened and an amazing sight met his eyes. Rare items of all kinds stood sparkling, placed carefully on purple velvet pillows, which were decorated beautifully with tassels. All the items and pillows were situated in glass cases with dainty locks fixed on. Jacob slid the key into the case containing the Ice Scorchstone. He turned, and the door opened with a small click.

     The Grarrl's shaking paw protruded and grabbed the item. He stared at it for a second before shoving it in the large bag he had brought with him. It looked no different from a bag that any visitor to Faerieland would have. Jacob moved onto another case, containing the Maractite Battle Duck. He did the same thing.

     "I didn't know there were so many items..." Jacob murmured to himself, "I better hurry up!"

     "Oh you will, will you?" said a cold voice. It wasn't Malik... Who could it be? Jacob turned himself around, and found himself face to face with a Fire Faerie.

     "No," he said aloud. "No, this is not happening."

     "I assure you it is," the Faerie shot back angrily. "Do you know what the punishment is for stealing from Fyora?"

     "No," he muttered, backing against the wall. The treasures lay forgotten on the ground. "I-I just... um..."

     "You're just lucky Fyora is busy today. Follow me." She gave him a dark glare, and then turned to lead back down the stairs. Jacob didn't move. Instead, he found himself looking out of the small window at the soft white clouds below. I can't let her take me away. It's not that far down, and the landing is soft...

     There was a cry of anger from somewhere below. No doubt the Faerie had discovered his absence. Throwing caution to the wind, he leapt from the window, curling himself into a ball as he went.

     "Stop! Thief!" Reflexively, the young Faerie fired a torrent of bright red flame towards the Grarrl. To the astonishment of the Faeries who had gathered to watch the drama unfold, the magic simply bounced off him and dissipated like a broken cloud. He landed on the ground unharmed, scrambled to his feet, and continued to run.

     Time seemed to stop for him. He was surrounded by an unrelenting wall of Faeries, all crying out, but in his panic their words melded together and became the battle cry of a tormented beast. Suddenly the crowd parted before him. There, in all her purple glory, stood the Queen of Faerieland.

     "This had better be important," she snarled. "Honestly, I turn my back for one second..."

     Jacob looked up a moment too late. He fell forward, landed in a heap on the ground and sent Fyora flying backwards. The run had exhausted his nerves; he simply lay there, breathing hard, wanting to cry but not daring to make a sound. Malik would be watching. He had failed. He had let everyone down. There would be no escape this time.

     "Stand up," the Queen snapped. When he did not respond, she picked him up by the shoulders and set him on his feet. "My advisor, Iliara the Fire Faerie, told me everything. Is this true?" Jacob had the feeling that she already knew it was. She was giving him the chance to admit it himself. As there was no hope of making a safe escape, he simply nodded. Shame flooded him and he stared at his feet.

     Fyora's purple lips tightened. Not only was this Grarrl a thief, but he was also a wimp - not even able to look her in the eye! Shaking her head, Fyora said, "What is your name, Grarrl?"

     Jacob shuffled his feet before muttering out his reply: "Jacob." He just wanted the other Faeries to stop staring. Strangely, Fyora did too, so she grabbed Jacob's upper arm and said, "Follow me. You too, Iliara." The Faerie bowed and stood behind Jacob, so he couldn't escape. No way out now... the Grarrl thought.

     He was lead up and up, around the twisting staircase until they got to a door which was purple. It was much like the door leading to the Hidden Tower - Jacob shuddered at the thought of what he'd done. Fyora opened the door and strode through it, pulling Jacob along with her. There was a desk which had all Fyora's writing utensils set up neatly. Scrolls of parchment lay next to them. Behind the desk was a beautiful throne. Fyora sat herself down, whilst Iliara stood next to her, and Jacob stood nervously in front of them.

     "Now," snapped Fyora, "Tell me why you stole from my Hidden Tower."

     Jacob took a deep breathe and explained all. He knew he'd get others into trouble, but he didn't really care at that moment in time. Iliara the Fire Faerie scribbled onto a piece of parchment whilst he talked and when Jacob had finished his confession, Fyora murmured, "I see. Since you have confessed, your punishment is that you are banned from Faerieland. No, not forever. But for a long time. Also, you are never allowed into the Hidden Tower again, unless you have a Faerie with you. All Faeries in this city will most probably know who you are now."

     "If I may interrupt, my Queen?"

     It was the voice of Iliara cut Fyora off. An irritated look crossed Fyora's face but she nodded to her advisor. Iliara stepped towards Jacob.

     "When I shot my magic at you, it bounced off. This shouldn't happen. My magic is very powerful, and has stopped extremely tough enemies. I have a hunch why it did not affect you... I think you might be the Guardian of the Fire Magic."

     It pained Iliara to say it - this petty thief was the Guardian? But there was no mistake. The Queen looked surprised, but this was nothing compared to Jacob. He looked very shocked, as if he were to faint.

     "M-me? But I'm a beggar, a thief..." His voice shook as he said the word 'thief'. Jacob sighed. Iliara was shaking her head, smiling slightly. She looked at Fyora and Fyora nodded at her. Iliara's tanned hand drew open a drawer in Fyora's desk. She took out a necklace that looked like the Amulet of Fire.

     "This," Iliara said, "is the most powerful Amulet of Fire ever created. It contains a piece of pure elemental magic." It was obsidian black with a streak of flickering red and gold that seemed to emanate from within the stone itself. Jacob looked at it in awe; reached out with one scaled hand, as if to touch it. Before he could, the Fire Faerie had withdrawn the object and placed it on the table before them.

     "As the Guardian, if that is what you are, you have a responsibility. To allow your powers to go to waste would be a terrible crime indeed."

     "Powers!?" Jacob felt like he was in a dream - a terrible, yet wonderful dream.

     "Yes." It was Fyora that spoke this time. "I fear, however, that you will abuse these powers."

     He shook his head adamantly. "What would I have to gain from it? I've learned my lesson. I swear!" The two Faeries exchanged a glance.

     "To be sure, before we hand over the amulet, I think it's only fair that you make us a promise." The two Faeries shared a significant glance.

     "I will," he replied immediately.

     "Then promise us that you will never seek to steal from or cause harm to another pet or faerie for the sole purpose of personal gain. This is a binding contract; if you put this amulet on, and break it at any point in the future, you will be stripped of your powers and made into an outcast," Iliara stated.

     Well, I've always been an outcast, he reasoned.

     "I promise."

     "Being an outcast means becoming grey in colour and spirit and confined to the Forest of the Lost. It is the cruelest sanction we are capable of. Please do not force us into this situation." Fyora glared slightly, as if to emphasize the point. "I do not like to punish anyone in this way, but I will if I must."

     "I understand." With great care, Iliara lifted the amulet and placed it around the Grarrl's thin neck. Immediately, he began to change--his thin muscles gave way to thickset, powerful limbs; his dull red scales became bright with flames of gold and bronze; his eyes, once brown, began to glow a radiant green. He was utterly unrecognizable. Most of all, he would never again be the failure he once was.

     "Thank you, kind Faerie, for giving me this second chance. You don't know how much it means to me."

     "It is no problem, Jacob," Fyora said. "Remember always the promise you made, and you will go a long way."

The End