The shimmering, crystalline brilliance that was Guardian Mountain engulfed Fal, pulling him into a vortex of energy that was irresistible, and with him, his Contracted, Tim.
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It dragged him deep within the light of Guardian Mountain on the Pathways. Yet, at the same time, he was aware of Guardian Cavern all around. He looked down at himself and saw the sheerest reflection of his body, a transparent wavering ghost of a Guardian, like looking at himself through a smoke-filled haze. It was like nothing he had ever experienced.

He did not want to be in Guardian Cavern. Almost, he thought himself right out of there, when a tingling shivered through him, gradually increasing in intensity. It held him there, bound him with ecstasy.

His Contracted, Tim, stood beside him. Etheric eyes large against his shadowed face, as he stared about himself. Fal felt a mixture of terror and awe assaulting him. It came from his boy, and from his own heart.  

Fal looked up to see that he and Tim stood in the center of a circle of Guardian’s and Contracted. He saw Ell, her neck curved about her Contracted’s shoulders. She was staring at him with golden eyes opened wide, mirrored by the same startled look in the eyes of her Contracted. He was relieved to see that Ell looked strong, completely healed.

He saw his dame, Gran Bryl and her Contracted, Bryllint, standing beside Ell. His heart filled with love the like of which he hadn’t felt since he was a hatchling, but treading upon the tail of that love was terrible shame. He saw the other Guardians and Contracted looking up, looking at him.

The shimmering walls of the cavern behind them resolved into myriad flyer folk, as a loud, rhythmic clattering began. Then a deep humming filled the cavern with the energy of joy. The Guardians were toning, singing in harmony. He heard a sweet voice rising above, and looked to see Ell’s Contracted, eyes closed now, her face lifted, a beautiful descant rising from her throat. Then the voices of the other Contracted joined. The toning intensified, the energy swirling about him, lifting him, forcing him.

Fal wasn’t ready for that beauty, but he could not help but join in. The song of the Ritual of the One flowed into him, and then it ripped and tore out of him. The sound he made was anything but beautiful. It growled through him straight from his gut, shredding the frozen places inside where his grief and shame burrowed. It burned through him with its heat, shattering his heart, scorching his soul. And it continued, on and on. He thought that surely, he would die, he was dying. He was fragmented into so many pieces that he could never be pulled back together. 

Then he heard his Contracted, his boy, Tim. His mellow, soothing voice, cooling Fal. Fal leaned his shattered self into that voice. It flowed around him, easing him, cooling the terrible, scorching heat. The dulcet tones of his Contracted pulled the shattered pieces of Fal’s heart together and bound them with his steady love.

Fal felt himself then within Tim’s mind. No, Faltim’s mind. The words of the Ritual flowed into Fal and he knew that they, he and his Contracted, were One. He was whole at last.

He saw his other self step forward and say, “I am Faltim, Voice and Hands. We are One.”

Faltim’s hazy figure grew suddenly opaque. No longer was his form etheric and ghostly. Faltim stood solidly beside him.
As Fal realized this he was assaulted by the moist, cool air of the cavern and the familiar metallic scent of greystone, the spice and flowers of the Guardians all around him, even his own weight bearing him down into the rough gravel of the cavern floor. It was almost too much for him to take in all at once, but a minute passed and he adjusted.

He looked down and saw himself solidly present there in Guardian Cavern. He looked around at the Guardians and Contracted who surrounded him and felt all parts of himself there with them in Guardian Cavern. He realized then, that he was fully committed in service to the One.

A renewed burning sensation began deep in his gut. Yet this time, it filled him with excitement, joy and terrible longing. It flowed, hot lava up through his throat and out between his jaws. The flames roared up out of him, reaching up, all the way to the ceiling of Guardian Cavern high above them.

He felt rather than saw Ell lift her own jaws to the ceiling and roar out an accompanying flame. Then it cascaded around the circle, one Guardian after another lifting jaws high and flaming. Their Contracteds stood before them, spreading arms wide, faces lifted in ecstasy, singing, roaring out a tumultuous song of triumph and victory.

Fal, closed his jaws, the flames receding back into his body though the power was in him still. He felt it burst out through his skin, white hot light outlining every ridge and scale. It was searingly hot without any sensation of burning. As he looked about the circle, he saw Guardian jaws still lifted to the ceiling, but no longer enflamed. Brilliant light shone from each Guardian’s body, their Contracteds surrounded in a nimbus of their own bright light. The shining intensity cascaded upward, filling the cavern with incandescent brilliance.

He watched, entranced as the golden-white light formed into strands which gradually became a great web overlaying the cavern. Fal realized that these were the Pathways of the One, formed from their own inner light. He felt each of the other Guardians and their Contracted, and knew that they too felt him. Then he felt so much more, all of the humans, the creatures, the trees and the very stones of the planet. The awareness expanded ever outward, encompassing All.

So astounded was he that he was almost unaware of the deep answering thrum of the Mother Planet, vibrating through the great web. He felt her then, Gaea. He felt her pleasure at his awareness and her acceptance of his service, as if she stood before him, arms open wide. He felt her shake off the dark shroud, like a Guardian sheds its first skin. Then Fal, still reeling from his shattered and mended heart, allowed himself to accept her immense gratitude and love as it surrounded and enfolded him.

Deep within the primordial fires at the heart of Gaea, the Mother Planet knew the expansive relaxation that signaled the Balance, and Gaea finally rested.

Tim felt the now familiar rush of energy as he was pulled onto the Pathways with Fal. There was a roaring sensation, like a great river carrying him forward and ever deeper.

He and Fal had journeyed often together since that first accidental meeting, when Tim was so startled to find himself in that dark void. Greater than his surprise was his delight when he discovered that Fal’s light sparkled there too. Now, he looked for Fal knowing he would find his light radiating there before him.

With each journey Tim tried to lead Fal toward the star-like brilliance the young man found so attractive, the light that he knew was Guardian Mountain. Tim wanted to go there on the Pathways, wanted it with all his heart. Yet each time, he felt Fal’s roiling emotions, regret, burning shame, guilt and agonizing fear. Always, Fal eluded him, his deep cobalt light dancing away upon the Pathways. Then Tim would send his intent flying along after Fal, his own light racing the strands of the Pathways, afraid that he might lose Fal within that infinite shining web stretching out before him.

Eventually he realized that Fal was not trying to escape him. He always allowed Tim’s smaller light to catch up, moving close to Fal’s and feeling that sense of loving connection once again. Together then they would still their movements and return to the outer world.

During their waking hours together, sitting comfortably in the shifting light of their cave home, Tim would try to talk with Fal. He explained over and over about Gran Bryl and Bryllint, and the urgency of their request that Fal go to Guardian Cavern. Fal tolerated this, but rarely responded in any way.

Tim kept trying. He didn’t know what else to do. Taking a deep breath of the cool air, redolent with the scent of the earth and greystone that lined the small cavern, Tim placed his hand on the dark, sleek scales of Fal’s neck and gazed up at the elegant, slanted ovals of his Guardian’s eyes. Fal seeming to know what was coming, did not look back at Tim, but stared off out the mouth of the cave.

“Bryllint pleaded with me Fal. You’ve got to go to Guardian Cavern. She said it was the only way to achieve the Balance. I don’t know what the Balance is but it’s something terribly important. She said Gaea needs us, Fal. Gaea needs us!”

For the first time, Fal growled, a deep vibration that Tim felt through his palm as much as heard. Tim took a hasty step back as Fal turned his head, long neck curving away from him. Tim knew now that his Guardian would not intentionally hurt him, but his great size and sudden movement in the small space of the cave made Tim wary of an inadvertent blow. Fal heaved his bulk around, tail twitching irritably, slashing the cave floor, grinding through the loosened scree. Claws scraping, he turned his spinal ridged back on Tim. His meaning couldn’t have been more clear, Fal would not go to Guardian Cavern.

Tim gave up then. He had failed, just as he feared he would. He slumped down against the wall of the cave and leaned his head back against the hard stone. The coolness felt good on the muscles of his back through his tunic. He closed his eyes and rested there. In time, his stomach rumbled in odd imitation of Fal’s recent grumbling outburst. Tim would have to get something to eat before long, but right now he was just too tired.

He heard Fal moving, the scraping of claws and tail over the cave floor, but he didn’t open his eyes to see what Fal was about. He was surprised then to feel Fal’s moist huffing breath upon his face, it’s scent sulphurous. Tim opened startled eyes wide. Fal moved closer, his head and golden orbs looking enormous at such close range. Then he touched Tim’s forehead gently with the end of his muzzle.

Tim’s eyes snapped shut and with a slight rushing sound, he found himself on the Pathways once again. There was Fal’s light before him. This time Tim didn’t try to lead Fal toward the brillance that was Guardian Mountain. He simply followed where Fal led. It felt disheartening to Tim, but there was no use in trying to guide Fal where he would not go. Tim relaxed, feeling a sense of relief in giving up.

Tim followed where Fal led and discovered to his astonishment that Fal traced a spiral pattern, centered upon the star-like brightness of Guardian Mountain. Fal bounced along the Pathways, spiraling outward and then spiraling inward once again. It was as if Guardian Mountain held him like a magnet, exerting a greater and greater pull upon him so that as he danced away, he would inevitably reverse and move back toward that bright light. What’s more, with each return, Fal moved closer to Guardian Mountain.

Was Fal working himself around to agreeing to Gran Bryl’s request? Was it possible that Tim’s pleading words had gotten through to his Guardian? Tim felt a surge of hope well up within him. He bounced along behind Fal, amused to realize that his small light had brightened considerably. Yet it was immediately dampened by his next thought. What good would it do for Fal to go to Guardian Mountain in this way? Bryllint asked Tim to bring Fal to Guardian Cavern. What good could their lights on the Pathways do?

Still, this felt like progress. Hope returned to Tim and he danced along in Fal’s wake, spiraling ever closer to that shining center.  
 
Tim felt the now familiar rush of energy as he was pulled onto the Pathways with Fal. There was a roaring sensation, like a great river carrying him forward and ever deeper.

He and Fal had journeyed often together since that first accidental meeting, when Tim was so startled to find himself in that dark void. Greater than his surprise was his delight when he discovered that Fal’s light sparkled there too. Now, he looked for Fal knowing he would find his light radiating there before him.

With each journey Tim tried to lead Fal toward the star-like brilliance the young man found so attractive, the light that he knew was Guardian Mountain. Tim wanted to go there on the Pathways, wanted it with all his heart. Yet each time, he felt Fal’s roiling emotions, regret, burning shame, guilt and agonizing fear. Always, Fal eluded him, his deep cobalt light dancing away upon the Pathways. Then Tim would send his intent flying along after Fal, his own light racing the strands of the Pathways, afraid that he might lose Fal within that infinite shining web stretching out before him.

Eventually he realized that Fal was not trying to escape him. He always allowed Tim’s smaller light to catch up, moving close to Fal’s and feeling that sense of loving connection once again. Together then they would still their movements and return to the outer world.

During their waking hours together, sitting comfortably in the shifting light of their cave home, Tim would try to talk with Fal. He explained over and over about Gran Bryl and Bryllint, and the urgency of their request that Fal go to Guardian Cavern. Fal tolerated this, but rarely responded in any way.

Tim kept trying. He didn’t know what else to do. Taking a deep breath of the cool air, redolent with the scent of the earth and greystone that lined the small cavern, Tim placed his hand on the dark, sleek scales of Fal’s neck and gazed up at the elegant, slanted ovals of his Guardian’s eyes. Fal seeming to know what was coming, did not look back at Tim, but stared off out the mouth of the cave.

“Bryllint pleaded with me Fal. You’ve got to go to Guardian Cavern. She said it was the only way to achieve the Balance. I don’t know what the Balance is but it’s something terribly important. She said Gaea needs us, Fal. Gaea needs us!”

For the first time, Fal growled, a deep vibration that Tim felt through his palm as much as heard. Tim took a hasty step back as Fal turned his head, long neck curving away from him. The Guardian heaved his bulk around, tail twitching irritably, slashing the cave floor, grinding through the loosened scree. Claws scraping, he turned his spinal ridged back on Tim. His meaning couldn’t have been more clear, Fal would not go to Guardian Cavern.

Tim gave up then. He had failed, just as he feared he would. He slumped down against the wall of the cave and leaned his head back against the hard stone. The coolness felt good on the muscles of his back through his tunic. He closed his eyes and rested there. In time, his stomach rumbled in odd imitation of Fal’s recent grumbling outburst. Tim would have to get something to eat before long, but right now he was just tired.

He heard Fal moving, the scraping of claws and tail over the cave floor, but he didn’t open his eyes to see what Fal was about. He was surprised then to feel Fal’s moist huffing breath upon his face, it’s scent sulphurous. Tim opened startled eyes wide. Fal moved closer, his head and golden orbs looking enormous at such close range. Then he touched Tim’s forehead gently with the end of his muzzle.

Tim’s eyes snapped shut and with a slight rushing sound, he found himself on the Pathways once again. There was Fal’s light before him. This time Tim didn’t try to lead Fal toward the brillance that was Guardian Mountain. He simply followed where Fal led. It felt disheartening to Tim, but there was no use in trying to guide Fal where he would not go. Tim relaxed, feeling a sense of relief in giving up.

Tim followed where Fal led and discovered to his astonishment that Fal traced a spiral pattern, centered upon the star-like brightness of Guardian Mountain. Fal bounced along the Pathways, spiraling outward and then spiraling inward once again. It was as if Guardian Mountain held him like a magnet, exerting a greater and greater pull upon him so that as he danced away, he would inevitably reverse and move back toward that bright light. What’s more, with each return, Fal moved closer to Guardian Mountain.

Was Fal working himself around to agreeing to Gran Bryl’s request? Was it possible that Tim’s pleading words had gotten through to his Guardian? Tim felt a surge of hope well up within him. He bounced along behind Fal, amused to realize that his small light had brightened considerably. Yet it was immediately dampened by his next thought. What good would it do for Fal to go to Guardian Mountain in this way? Bryllint asked Tim to bring Fal to Guardian Cavern. What good could their lights on the Pathways do?

Still, this felt like progress. Hope returned to Tim and he danced along in Fal’s wake, spiraling ever closer to that shining center.