Blazing with Fire

Prologue

Prologue

“How is he doing, Robert? Is he going to be alright?” Martha asked the doctor.

She was about 25 years old. Her once blonde curly hair had been reduced to grey tendrils, and her hands were stained with coal and dust. It coated her neck and face. She trembled as she recalled the events that had just happened. She was a Harvard graduate with a degree in Law. But none of that had mattered when Ayao had chosen her to be the wind guardian a year ago.

Robert released deep sigh. “Can you tell me what happened again?” Robert asked. He had been the company’s doctor for many years. He was a good and trusted asset of the company. He’d served them way back when his aunt was still the wind guardian. His aunt had died and the spirit Ayao had moved to Martha.

“Well—” Martha gulped. “We were in a business meeting at the World Trade Center, but that’s not really why we were there.” Martha looked around the clinic just to ensure no else was there.

Martha continued in a whisper, “We found another guardian working there. We don’t know if it’s water or earth, but I do know that he’s there; I could feel a connection. Everything was going according to plan—“ Martha had to stop for a moment, as someone passed by. “That’s when the plane crashed into the building and everything was on fire and smoke was everywhere. People started screaming and running—”

Robert had to stop Martha. “That’s okay, you can stop.” Robert held Martha’s hand; she was trembling as she told the story to Robert.

Robert offered his handkerchief to Martha which she then used to wipe the tears on her cheeks. She struggled to build her composure once again. Martha tried to return Robert’s handkerchief, but he insisted on letting Martha keep it.

“Sure, Johnny here can control fire, he’s Pele’s chosen guardian, but he’s now too old for his duty. He can't do anything straight anymore.” Martha took Johnny’s hand. It was starting to get cold, but he was still alive. The machines stuck to his veins were the only things keeping him alive. The heart monitor displayed his very slow heartbeat and Martha was worried for him.

“Some say it’s the terrorists, but I know the Missans did this. It’s not a coincidence that we were there when that plane crashed into the World Trade Center. But I kept asking, why? Why kill so many people just to get us?” Martha started tearing up once again. She felt guilty for just being alive.

“The one we’re after might be dead or struggling right now. Geb or Volturnus might as well be looking for another body.” Martha said. She stayed there looking at her old mentor in his dying state. He was old and wise. A little rusty, but he knew how to train fresh blood.

Robert injected something into Johnny’s arm, but nothing happened. He walked across the room to get a larger dosage. “By the way, any news about the goddess Jenevere?” he asked.

Martha struggled, trying to remove the black stain stuck in her palms. “She’s safe, and I visited a week ago…”Martha suddenly stopped her cleansing. “Why do you ask? It’s not like you to be concerned with other people’s business.” Martha said. She quickly turned on her guard and stayed alert.