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Prologue; A Meeting in the Shadows

"We have got to do something! Every day more and more of us go missing, and we get closer to being exposed!" A lean figure cried desperately, slamming their fist down on the huge round table before them.

"What can we do?" Another shape asked with a low growl, a flash of white teeth visible in the dim light. “The Rangers are spread thin, the Magi are trying to keep us hidden, the Shadows are still decimated from the coup, and it's all the Warlocks can do to keep the Others under control!"

A quiet rustle went around the table, as shadowed figures looked at each other in the dim light of the fire that just barely illuminated the chamber. Finally, a sleek, sharp-faced shape spoke up in a thoughtfully chirping tone.

"We need a Guardian. They're the only one all the Conclaves would follow willingly."

"And where, precisely, do you plan on finding one worthy of being a Guardian?" Another hissed disdainfully. “If you recall, their traditional Conclave is all but extinct, and the ones that are left are either too old to be of any use, or hidden away in their lairs, all safe and sound - and completely disconnected from the outside world. And if we try to choose one from a different Conclave, then we risk insulting the elders' honor and causing another blood war on top of the one we've already got. No, a new Guardian is not the answer," they finished determinedly, sitting back with a huff and a dry rustle.

There was another pause, as some nodded along, while others simply gazed thoughtfully into the flames.

"What if we held a tournament?" A short figure asked with a heavy rolling accent. “Let any who wanted to compete - given certain age and ability requirements, mind you - be allowed to sign up. We'd have a series of trials to choose the next Guardian, and at the end, the best should be shown by their own skill."

"Hmm… you may have a point," The original speaker murmured thoughtfully.

"You can not possibly be thinking of agreeing with this… cockananny plan, can you?" The same protester asked, eyes narrowing furiously.

"Well, maybe with some modifications, we could work out the details and-"

A dry, raspy voice, echoing with long practiced power, interrupted them. "No. As it has been done for thousands of years, the next Guardian will be chosen by the Ring."

The was a soft cli-clack as the sharp-faced figure gently spoke up.

"Elder, with all due respect, the Ring has been silent for centuries. It's been 300 years since Guardian Emrys fell, and it hasn't reacted even once to anything that has happened. We need to face the possibility that the Ring might be finally silenced for good."

“And as I have said many times before, this has been a test for us." There was a quiet sound, almost like metal-on-stone as the Elder continued, gently tapping the table as they spoke. “Not just for our security, but for our society. The Guardian is a wonderful power, to be sure. But we became too reliant on it." The tapping ceased in a single thump as their hand clenched. “Now, we've paid the price for our complacency, and we're better for it. We are able to take care of ourselves now. Look around! We haven't been this secure and prosperous since the Golden Age! Granted, we've got this little… issue to deal with, but we'll survive, just like all the other times."

Another moment passed as the Elder's words processed in the group's minds. Finally, the head figure heaved a sigh.

“Very well. We'll do it your way for now. But, for all our sakes, I hope you're right and the Ring chooses someone soon."

“As do I, little one. As do I…"

*******

Chapter 1; The Glint of Gold

Summer

“C'mon guys! Keep up!"

“What do you think we're trying to do?!" Came the exasperated cry in return. “Slow down, James, just give us a moment!"

Turning around, James Tarion paused in his spot on the trail, watching his friends try to scramble over the rocks and boulders that littered the path. A moment later, the lagging quartet caught up to him and stopped a few steps away, each nervously balancing on a rock of their own. Before James could turn around again and continue out towards their destination, a tall, blonde-haired young woman detached herself from the gasping group and marched right up to James.

Smiling, he opened his arms for his girlfriend to give her a hug, only for Madison to instead lash out and give his shoulder a good thump.

“Ow!" He yelped, jumping back and rubbing at the spot where she hit. “What was that for?!"

“We have new people with us," Madison said, gesturing back to the rest of the group - Jack, Noah, and Dana - who were both hunched over slightly, gasping for air. Even as he watched, Jack yanked a water bottle off Noah's backpack and started chugging.

Ignoring Noah's quiet “Hey!" of protest, James sighed and turned back to Madison.

“Yeah, you're right," he said, eyes downcast. “Sorry, I just got a little excited."

“I know," his girlfriend murmured, this time actually reaching out to give him a gentle hug. “But it's just a cliff. Wolf Rocks isn't going anywhere, least of all before lunch."

“True," he glanced at the group, then around at their spot on the trail. They probably had another half hour of hiking to get to the overlook, and he wasn't sure that Jack and Dana could make it without stopping for lunch. “What do you guys feel like? We're about 30 minutes out, so we can either stop for a lunch break here, or at the cliff."

Finally getting their breathing under control, the mother and son looked at each other, before peering down the trail warily. Finally, Dana shrugged.

“I'm game. I'd rather get there now and spend more time enjoying the view I think."

Noah nodded in response, and James shrugged before readjusting his backpack.

“Alright, why don't you two lead the way then? I'd love to hear your first reaction," he offered, even as he winked at Madison. Rolling her eyes, she waited with him till the other three had walked past them before falling in side-by-side at the end of the line.

*******

“Oh my god, finally!" James shook his head as he heard Jack's exclamation echo back from up ahead. Shaking his head at his friend's dramatized exhaustion, he moved towards the top of the cliff, idly jumping from one rock to another as he navigated the rough landscape and came closer to seeing the view he always loved.

Turning around a moment later once the trees opened up to a view of the great blue sky, James raised his camera and focused in on the group a short distance away. *Be-beep!* The autofocus announced before he pressed the button and the soft click of the shutter sounded.

A few more photos, and James slung the strap back across his chest and turned to continue his explorations. Just as he was about to leap over to the next outcropping, he paused as he heard a noise.

“James…" It seemed to whisper softly, the wind stilling oddly as the 16-year-old strained to listen.

“James!"

“What?" James said in confusion, looking around to find the source of the noise. “Who's there?"

“Take up the Ring…"

“A Ring?" He could hear the capitalization on the word. “This isn't like the One Ring, is it? Who's talking?!"

“Fulfill your destiny…"

Finally James froze as he caught a glint of gold shinning from the top of a small spire closer to the forest side of the cliff. Cautiously moving closer, he saw what appeared to be a large golden bangle, laying on the spire of stone in such a way that it looked almost like a shrine.

“Take up the mantle…"

Now that he was close enough to it, he could tell the mysterious voice was definitely coming from the unassuming band of gold.

I should be worried about a big ring/bangle/thing talking to me, James thought to himself even as he drew closer, running a nervous hand through his short, dark hair. But, I just… can't. And that should bother me too, shouldn't it?

“Become… the Guardian."

Shrugging, James slowly reached out towards the ring. The moment his fingertip touched it, a tremendously loud *GONG!* sounded in his mind. A blinding flash of light pulsed out from where James touched the Ring, and his eyes went wide. Around him, a sudden gust of wind picked up, swirling with such force that it sounded like a group of giant creatures was roaring at his back.

Not even a moment later, the light winked out, the wind died down, and the roaring stopped.

What just happened? James thought, blinking in confusion. Why am I over here?

Already, the real memories of what had just occurred were slipping away, instead replaced by James seeing a glint in the trees and coming to investigate. The more he thought about it, the more the memory of the whispers, the gong, and the light all slipped away like water through fingers.

Shaking his head, James quickly found what had caught his attention – on the ground lay an old-looking golden ring. Shrugging, he bent down and picked it up, turning the thick band over in his palm curiously. The inside of the jewelry was mostly plain, only marked by a single symbol that tickled at the edge of James' mind. It was a stylized dragon, wings spread, front paws resting on top of a triangular shield, with a pair of swords crossed behind the shield. Curiously, he felt he should know the emblem, but he couldn't place it at the moment.

Around the outside face of the ring was a series of tiny etchings in the form of linked half-circles, making the band appear to be covered in tiny, sharp-pointed scales. There was a stripe of dark metal bifurcating the outer surface, dotted with the inscription of curious symbols that ran the entire circumference. At first, it looked much like a series of tiny scratches and stab marks, but as James looked at it more, he could see that the marks were actually structured and in a specific order.

Still, he thought, It's not like they say anything. Just decoration I suppose… Turning the ring over once more, he hummed thoughtfully. I wonder whose this is? I guess I'll check with the office, maybe someone has put out a missing-item request. That symbol on the inside has to be initials of some sort.

Objective decided, James nodded to himself and turned to head back to his friends, slipping the ring into his pocket as he went. It was, after all, much too nice of a day to waste it worrying about some old jewelry. That was for Future James to take care of. For now, lunch!

*******

“Hmm, nope, no one has submitted a missing-item request for a ring," Ranger Mackenzie said as she scanned through the files on her computer. “Thanks for bringing it in though, most people would have just grabbed it and run."

“No problem," James said easily, waving off her thanks. “I found it at a popular spot, it stands to reason that it was someone's at one point.

“So," he continued, “Do I leave it with you, or…?"

“Normally, I'd say leave it with me," she said, closing down her laptop. “But, you said you're how far away?"

“A little under two hours."

“Yeah, that'd just be cruel to have you come all the way back down just for a ring." She hummed thoughtfully for a second. “Tell you what, just gimme your number. If someone comes to try and claim it, I'll give you a call and you can mail it back here - we'll cover the cost and insurance, don't worry. If you don't hear from me in a week, it's yours."

“Awesome!" James said, smiling gratefully at her. Taking Mackenzie's offer of pen and paper, he quickly bent over the desk to scribble down his info. “Thanks for everything, it's been nice talking to you!"

“You too," she said, taking the note and placing it over by the Lost-&-Found box. “Take care now, you hear? These mountain roads will be teeming with deer soon enough."

“Trust me, I know." James glanced out the window towards the setting sun. “I'd best be off. Have a nice night!"

*******

“So, how was the trip?" Marilyn Tarion asked as James set down his backpack by the dinner room table.

“Good! It was fun," James replied, moving over to give his mother a firm hug. “You should have heard Noah going on about the formations, he was like a kid in a candy store."

“Well, that's what happens when your friend wants to be a geologist!" she laughed. “Did Jack and Dana manage alright?"

“Well enough," he shrugged, slipping off his pack and setting it down. Opening the zipper and rummaging through, he began removing the last of the snacks and replacing them in the kitchen cabinets. “It was probably the longest hike they've been on, but at least it's mostly flat."

“Well, that's good to hear. Hopefully you didn't scare them away!" Marilyn joked, chuckling.

“Nah, I don't think it'll be a problem," James waved off her concern. “Worst part of the whole thing was Doug bugging Madison a bunch. 'When are you getting home?' 'Watch the deer!' 'Are you on your way home yet, it's getting dark out!,'" he grunted in frustration. “It's like he forgets that she's 17, not 8."

“Yeah, I know, honey," his mother sighed. “He's just concerned about her though. She's only been driving for a year, I'll be the same way when you get your license."

“True," James agreed, before brightening. “Oh! I did find this ring, I love the design on it," he continued, fishing the golden ring out of his pocket. “Looks like scales or something, doesn't it?"

“It does!" Marilyn agreed, gently taking the ring from James' palm. “You found it? Someone left it there?"

“Yeah, I asked the rangers, no one has put out a lost-and-found request for it. She said I could keep it if no one claims it within the week."

“Well, that was nice of her," she hummed, turning the band over a few times before handing it back to James. “Does it fit?"

“Dunno, I haven't tried it on yet," James shrugged, before examining the ring. It seemed the right size, so he held it up and slipped it onto his left middle finger. “Hey, it does!" he exclaimed, surprised at the conveniently perfect fit.

“It suits you," Marilyn smiled. “So, did you get any good pictures?"

“I did!" James said enthusiastically, already digging out his camera. “Here, take a look at these! This one was down by Adam's Falls, Madison almost fell in! Then here, we were exploring those old ruins…"

Hunched over the digital camera, mother and son laughed and joked over the events of the day, both of them clueless about what had been unleashed that day…

***

At the same time James touched the ring on the cliff, an intangible wave of energy rippled out from that spot like an earthquake. The pulse that enveloped the globe was invisible, there was no sound produced by it, and not even the most delicate instruments of modern science had a hope of detecting it. Only a handful individuals in the entire world even noticed the occurrence. Even fewer knew what the subtle whisper of wind and fire in the back of their minds meant.

One such being was ensconced in an ancient fortress, built deep into the earth, and forgotten about for millennia. Its name lost to time, it had sat there for centuries, in one single chamber, nothing sustaining it but the raw energies of the world around it. No matter what disaster or momentous event had happened, the being had not been stirred from its contemplation of the ebb and flow of the world's powers.

For what was a landslide or a hurricane to a being who had seen whole empires rise and fall, and rise again? What was the endless war and conflict of the mortal world, but the meaningless squabbling of ants? To the one who guided and shaped the course of history from the shadows, making sure the light could never scour away the darkness? The answer, of course, is absolutely nothing.

And thus, when the being felt and identified the wave of energy as it passed through its hidden sanctum, it would have shocked anyone – had there been more than dust and darkness as witness – to see the being slowly open a pair of deep red eyes.

Eyes flicking around at something only it could see, the being seemed to read information from empty air, its gaze moving back and forth rapidly, as if scanning a page in a book. And then, it did something even more shocking than before.

“Curious," it said, its voice a rasping, multi-layered harmony of discordant notes.