As young as I could remember they had always told us to protect each other, to take care of one another and to look out for us all. I believe strongly in what I have been taught but because of the peaceful time I have never had to put that faith to the test, or my own strength.

We had always kept and eye for each other, the whole community did, especially when they discovered my ability. Somewhere along the way I became less of the pack and more of the priority.

We have lived for generations in this town, always looking out for each other and warding off outsiders, but we have not always originated from here.

We came from a planet far away, but that was long since destroyed. When the war started it was simple we won easily, then they made the alliance that broke us, that destroyed us, and forced what little of us that were left to flee.

My great, great grandfather was one of the originals, who actually lived on the planet at one stage. He was at the middle age of 108 when we landed and went on to have a beautiful life with his wife that also came from the planet, our line is one of the few that has stayed pure since the landing, which was why I wasn’t that surprised when my powers surfaced, what I was surprised about was the magnitude of them.

My parent used to tell me stories, of the legendary powers, they were few and far between but they had still occurred every few millennia. Before a legendary surfaced a guardian was activated, the protector of the power, and the wielder. Once a guardian was awakened they were given the knowledge of all the other guardians before them, the knowledge of the powers and how to help the wielder. A legendary could never survive without their guardian. Some of the most beautiful relationships in our history were between a legendary and their guardian, for if a guardian was a boy the legendary would be a girl and vies versa, it was this way to even out the personalities, to keep each person balanced.

I used to think that they were just stories, that it was just history, but that was before a guardian was awakened in our community.

The guardian was always awakened before the legendary, was always there first to make sure that the person chosen was not left alone when the first power surfaced.

Most of our people were blessed with the simple powers of healing and increased strength and agility, a legendary always had a major power, never has the same power occurred twice. I came into my healing powers early, easily, from the moment I could talk I could sooth a fever, cure a cold and heal minor wounds. They thought I had complete control over my powers by the age of 8, they were wrong. I moved on to healing major injures, bringing people back from the brink of death, by then people had suspicions that I was not just a simple healer.

Then the guardian awoke, and though they didn’t tell me they knew my fate was sealed.

The guardian awoke a year ago now, ever since everyone has been waiting for the first sign of the powers.  They told me of the possibly of my powers when I turned 13, that was last year, they were going to surface any day now.

They also told me of the danger, that the minute my powers surfaced I was going to put out a universal signal, one that would reach across galaxies, telling our enemies that we were not all dead, and exactly where they could find us.

That was my curse, the minute my powers arose I was the savior and the doom of our race all at the same time.

2: Chapter 1

When I had switched schools, nearly all of my kind switched with me, slowly, a few here, a few there, but eventually we all ended up in the one place Green Swan Collage (GSC). It was a privet school just out of a nearby town, the school we had been going too had become too risky, too many untamed kids, to many risks of exposure. My mother had been the one to suggest the move, and while all the parents were unhappy at having their children so far away they knew that safety came first.

We kept together, and yet to the public eye we seemed to only be light acquaintances.

When Blake was chosen as a guardian, everyone was suddenly very protective of all us girls. Honestly at the beginning I didn’t know what the fuss was about, but then I began to understand. They didn’t want us to have any chance of becoming seriously injured, if that happened the powering process could become tricky, then of course it would be harder to run if we need some sort of medical treatment, and running was exactly what we were going to have to do when the powers became known. The minute one of the legendary powers began to form the signal was sent out, the minute everyone would have to leave everything and run. We had all been packed for the last year.

School was a reprieve, I didn’t have to be under the pressure of everyone watching me like I was a bomb about to go off. I had friends and a steady academic record, I did like to give it my all.

Getting of the bus I walked across to the year 9 section with Blake, coincidence that he was in the same year? Most people thought not. Even though we didn’t talk he watched me every minute of every day. I didn’t care much for his watchful gaze but admittedly it did make me feel a little safer. Seeking out my best friend I went into the library where she was seriously engrossed in her computer game. If she didn’t have head phones in I was sure that shooting sounds would be pouring out of her speakers. She was frantically hitting buttons here and there, eyes flicking rapidly as the computer spat multiple images at her. She was playing her favourite game of all time, she played it all the time, trying to beat her previous high score. I loved it, it was such a normal thing to do, to be obsessed with something, to be normal. She wasn’t passionate about a lot of things but once she got into something that became a serious part of her. She didn’t like her hair but I did, she had a dark blondish colour that framed her face nicely. With eyes, that were a rich brown that spoke of the life that she loved. Taking out my own computer I slid into the chair next to her.

Just as I shut my computer down the bell rung, making Violet curse and pause her game while I laughed at her annoyance. If she had her way she would never have to go to school, just play her game, with breaks here and there though to spend time with Josh.

Taking my computer I headed for my first lesson, Business 101. It was a subject about how to organise human affairs, I actually found it interesting yet extremely challenging, they put so much of their time into money, to them it is was what made the world go around. Even though I had been brought up on this world did not mean I understood it any more or less. They were so focused on violence, it scared me sometimes.

“Ivanna,” I was shaken out of my reverie when one of my friends ran up to me and joined me on my way to class.

“Hey,” I greeted as she caught up, reorganising her books, “how are you?”

“Oh you know typical Monday I guess, stressed, excited, same old same old, you?” she asked finally getting all her things in order. She had obviously slept in this morning, her uniform was barely in place. Some people were extremely disorganised.

“Pretty good actually, kind of stressed about the work but pretty happy.”

“You know, you’re about the only one I know who manages to be happy on a Monday.” She said shaking her head as we entered the classroom and took our seats.

“Yeah,” I said a small smile playing on my lips, “it’s a talent.”

We spent most of the class writing notes and discussing what we wanted to do for our assignment.

It was lunch before I knew it and I quite happily joined the queue leading into the dining hall. Violet joined me in my spot in the line.

“How was your morning? I asked as we grabbed a plate and headed for the hot food station.

“Well, my brains got melted in Physics, and I am starving, so I am seriously glad it’s lunch time. Can you see what it is?” laughing at my friend’s stomach I answered her, “yeah I think its beef and gravy rolls.”

Beef and gravy rolls was a food I immensely enjoyed, it was messy but delicious. Many students did not like the kitchens cooking but I wasn’t too fussy. As I was about to sit down I saw Blake entre the hall, his eyes quickly searching the hall to see who was here, landing on me I could see his normal relief seep into his features, he always liked to know where I was like I said. Giving him a reassuring smile I dug into my food, ignoring the idle chit chat going on around me. If I wanted to keep up with violet I had to eat fast, that girl could be a professional eater if she wanted to. She practically inhaled her roll.

Only just finishing in time I took care of my dishes and we walked out of the hall, Blake following close behind.

He never followed me into the library but he always made sure he knew that I had gotten there safely, honestly, he was probably one of the best guardians in the books. It was quiet funny his dedication, he was quiet the looker, for human standers, girls were all ways staring though I’m not sure he noticed. 

Hanging out with Violet, I witnessed a miracle, she stopped playing her game, of course that was the exact time her boyfriend, Josh, came in and wrapped her in a hug. The school had a daylight rule of course but teachers tended to turn a blind eye to in school relationships, I had a suspicion they liked seeing young love, as teachers sometimes put it.

As they started to chat about their days my mind drifted off, it was raining now which was always nice, I didn’t like being in the rain but I liked the fact that it helped the land.

It was Terra’s birthday in a couple of weeks, we were all planning this big surprise party, I was going to bake the cake. I loved to bake, not so much cooking but baking. Everyone knew it, that’s why they had asked me to do it. Terra was Blake’s sister, and you could tell that from a mile away, they bickered like old ladies, all the time, but because she was his sister she was safe, she wasn’t going to become the legendary.

“Ivanna, zone back in girl, do you have any plans for the weekend?” I laughed as my gazed focused back in on Violet, and her hand that she had been waving in front of my face.

“Um, not that I know of, I think we are just staying in and watching some movies,” she seemed to take that as an acceptable answer and turned back to Josh.

In truth ever since Blake turned into a guarding the whole community had been in lockdown, we hadn’t gone anywhere, school trips were off, and we weren’t even allowed to go down town unless it was completely necessary. It wasn’t too bad, we all just generally hung out at some one’s place in the afternoons and on the weekends.  

As the bell rung I got up and followed Violet out of the library, she was walking ahead with Josh’s arm circled around her waist. A small smile crept over my features as I watched them, they truly did care for one another, love was a very human emotion that I had yet to experience, I sometimes wondered if we were capable of such feeling, they didn’t think that they were in love, but anyone could clearly see it.

I was heading off to my locker when I felt his gaze on my back, always watching, turning my head just enough to catch sight of him I saw him as usual already ready to go to class, but he was waiting for me to go first so he could watch me from a distance.

How he managed to watch me and fit in with his friends amazed me, you would think that they would notice his constant vigilance but they remained ignorant as ever.

Grabbing my stuff I sprinted out through the rain to the opposite pathway, were I would be able to walk to my next class out of the rain.

“Ivy,” Blake said as he left his friends and started walking with me, we were headed to math, a subject that made everyone groan but me, “you all set for tonight?” he asked me.

Tonight, instead of all hanging out, we were splitting up so that the girls could have a girl’s night and the boys could do whatever it is that they love to do when they don’t have to watch us.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine.” Answering his real question, which was, are you going to be really careful? “My parents have set up a tent just outside between our house and Annora’s, privacy yet protection.”

I said as we hurried through a small section of the pathway that did not have a roof over it.

“That’s good, the guys and I are going to go bike riding near Richard’s place.”

“Ah, so that’s what you guys are doing, riding death machines.” I said making him laugh, as I shook my head as we walked through the class door, stopping the conversation.

I did have to envy the guys, they had slightly less strict rules on them, none of them were going to be a Legendary so they could do things like that, us though, the girls, had to keep safe and sound out of harm’s way.

Before I knew it Monday was over and we were all pilling on the bus to go home, Terra sat next to me as per normal and Blake took the seat behind us, there was no need for pretences anymore, the kids on this bus were all Fremde, our people.

Pulling out my IPod I tuned everyone out, I did love human technology, the music was another way to forget who and what I was.

The bus trip lasted 20 minutes and as we pulled into the stop I put my IPod away. All our parents were mingling around at the bus stop, just like in the morning, everyone who could be here without raising suspicion was here.

Terra left with her parents but Blake like usual came with us getting in the other side. It was the same old normal routine, in the mornings, Terra would be with me as we got ready for the day, then we would all meet up before getting on the bus, then in the afternoons, Blake would go home with me, where we would both do our homework before everyone came over then we would do whatever activity the elders had planned for us then we had our own time until dinner, were Blake and his entire family always came over and we would all eat together, they practically lived with us since last year.

I would so laugh if I wasn’t the next legendary, I would crack up if one day the legendary turned out to be someone else and everyone spent all this time watching me for no good reason, that would be funny right up until the enemy showed up, but that wasn’t going to happen no matter how much I wished it wasn’t me.

“Okay, the girls and I will be around in an hour, remember don’t leave the house.” Terra said waving goodbye, before we both broke out in laughter. It was a joke, in all the human horror movies, leaving the house meant certain death, and the first day Blake had gotten his powers my parents had said the same thing to me. In all seriousness though I wasn’t actually allowed to leave the house, my parents, grandparents and the entire community would kill me if I did that, not that I really needed to be told twice.

As we arrived dad, like usual, made me sit in the car until we were in the shed and the roller door was closed before he allowed me to get out. Honestly it was like they thought that I could be stolen between the car and the house, sometimes it was a wonder that I got anytime on my own.

“What homework do you have Ivy?” asked my mother as we entered the house through the garage door.

“Just the usual, math, business and a few other bits and pieces.” I replied, following her through the house to the work room.

“I’m glad that you decided to keep doing business this year,” said my dad coming in behind me and sitting down at his own desk, we all worked in the same room, “Learning about human affairs will help you.”

“Plus it’s interesting.” I said pulling out my books and getting set up as Blake joined me, setting up his own stuff as well.

“That too.” Said my dad with a chuckle before delving into his own work.

“Do you want to start with math?” Blake asked as we sat down ready to work.

“Yeah sure, get the easy stuff out of the way.” I agreed, making him laugh.

“Only you think math is easy.” He muttered before we set to work.

It took the full hour for us to finish all our homework, it was crazy, the work load drastically increased each year, I wonder how the normal kids manage it.

Our organised knock sounded on the door and dad went to open it, letting everyone in, it was time for our own personal lessons.

Our personal lessons were all about either our history or our powers, each week we had an even number of history and practical lessons, always taken by the elder who was most like us.

My elder was Annora, the most powerful healer we had, Collin and I both studied under her, Collin was her own son. Since this afternoon was a history lesson instead of splitting up we all sat down outside while we waited for Susanna, our oldest.

We were going over the mistakes of the lad up to the war, the signs that we missed. We were all eager to learn, we had never seen our home, we had been born and raised here on earth so any information they gave us was welcome.

“Hello everybody.” Greeted Susanna as she sat in the chair set up for her, there was multiple greetings in return from both the adults and children as we all gathered to listen. You would think that the adults would have something better to do, but if they didn’t have something absolutely pressing they would all be here, listening to our lesson. I think it might be because they like to remind themselves about our home, what it used to be.

Today’s story was set in the weeks before our fall, 3 weeks, 21 days to be exact. The start of the 21 day trial, the beginning of the 21 day wait before the final killing days. 21 days of the possibility of avoiding the mascara that followed.

“On the first day the only sign that something was wrong, was a lateness in the ringing of the bell. It rang at 5 o’clock every day to single the end of the working day. It was a grand total of 4 minutes late. Postponing everyone from exiting their building for 4 minutes. We didn’t know it then, but something happened in those four minutes, someone used those four minutes to change something the maintenance procedure, so that the next day, shift would start an hour later.”

 She paused, looking at our disbelieving faces, the war started with everyone being 4 minutes late?

“Now, I’ll tell you about the hour later tomorrow, but know this, if we had bothered to check why the bell was 4 minutes late, we could have saved millions.”

She shakily got up and left us to our thoughts, the adults looked completely at ease, having already known this but for the rest of us it was troubling, 4 minutes, what the hell could have been done in that time?

Shaking myself from my thought I focused on the night ahead, we hadn’t had a good girl’s night in ages.

“Ivanna,” said Blake waving the guys ahead as he came up to me before leaving.

“Yes?” I asked getting up off the ground to talk to him.

“Promise me you won’t leave the tent.” My mood darkened at his words.

“Yeah, cause I’m just going to run out into the night to get eaten.” I said, almost flinching at my own harshness.

He gave me a look, “Just be careful.” He pleaded.

 I sighed, “Yeah sure, when am I not right?” I said turning away from him and headed inside to get my things.