the location of the manor must be wiped out. They are given the choice.”
Michael leaned down to meet eyes with Gabe.
“Rampart Manor is cloaked by very powerful incantations. All the forces of the underworld believe the destruction of the Guardians is the key to their being able to overrun earth. The worst part is that they’re right.”
“What?” Gabe asked trying not to sound panicked.
“We are the last line of defense. If we are gone, the demons will triumph and the earth will be in ruins. What the demons don’t realize, or they are so blinded by their desire to conquer that they don’t care, is if that were to happen it would usher in the end of days.”
“We are it?” Gabe asked incredulously, “The end of us means the end of the world?”
Michael smiled. He enjoyed that Gabe had referred to the Guardians as we.
“The responsibility does not lie solely with Rampart. We are not the only training ground for Guardians. There were a total of four facilities spread throughout the world until 1942.”
“What happened in 1942?”
“A sister facility, Raven Torch, was destroyed. All of the Guardians within were killed by a powerful evil force. The remaining three locations have dedicated effort to concealing their secrets not only for the sake of the Guardians but for mankind.” Michael explained, his voice cracking as he told the story.
“When Rampart manor was established hundreds of years ago the demons came close to discovering our location.”
“What happened?” Gabe gasped as the question slipped from his lips.
“I wasn’t born when Rampart was built. Legend says our Master Guardian at the time was given the task of venturing to the new world and building a training facility.” Michael began the story. “He was making progress and the locals were eagerly helping in the building process. Somehow a legion of demons discovered Rampart was being constructed and the village of Roanoke was helping in that construction. The demons came in during the night and wiped out the entire village.”
“Wait.” Gabe stopped Michael’s story. He couldn’t believe what he was about to ask. “Are you saying the ‘Lost Colony’ of Roanoke was slaughtered by demons?”
Michael nodded solemnly.
“Those left sought shelter within the walls of Rampart. Thanks to the clerics incantations, Rampart manor wasn’t discovered.” Michael stood and extended his hand to Gabe, clearing his throat.
“How about we go and get that food I’ve been promising you?” Michael asked. The sad history clearly unsettled him.
Remembering the previously mentioned feast, Gabe stood. As they walked towards a large, stone building across the courtyard, Michael further told Gabe about the manor and their mission to preserve mankind.
After a lifetime of being shifted around from foster home to foster home, Gabe thought about how the place sounded like a vacation paradise. Even with the threat of demons, he could imagine himself in this life.
Finally they arrived at the entrance to the dining hall. Michael pushed the old wooden door open to reveal a huge room that had wooden tables surrounded by long, rustic benches. The tables filled the large open space. Gabe imagined it could hold hundreds of people.
“This is where we all gather for our meals together.” Michael explained.
It finally dawned on Gabe exactly how vast this place was. It was quite amazing.
“Just around this corner,” Michael said, leading the way. Gabe followed him back through a large archway. As they continued down the corridor, amazing smells began to fill his nostrils. It was absolutely intoxicating. He could taste the sugar in the air as they walked.
They rounded a corner. Without warning, Gabe’s jaw dropped in awe as he saw a huge kitchen in front of him. The walls were covered in ivory subway tiles that Gabe imagined had probably been white
Michael leaned down to meet eyes with Gabe.
“Rampart Manor is cloaked by very powerful incantations. All the forces of the underworld believe the destruction of the Guardians is the key to their being able to overrun earth. The worst part is that they’re right.”
“What?” Gabe asked trying not to sound panicked.
“We are the last line of defense. If we are gone, the demons will triumph and the earth will be in ruins. What the demons don’t realize, or they are so blinded by their desire to conquer that they don’t care, is if that were to happen it would usher in the end of days.”
“We are it?” Gabe asked incredulously, “The end of us means the end of the world?”
Michael smiled. He enjoyed that Gabe had referred to the Guardians as we.
“The responsibility does not lie solely with Rampart. We are not the only training ground for Guardians. There were a total of four facilities spread throughout the world until 1942.”
“What happened in 1942?”
“A sister facility, Raven Torch, was destroyed. All of the Guardians within were killed by a powerful evil force. The remaining three locations have dedicated effort to concealing their secrets not only for the sake of the Guardians but for mankind.” Michael explained, his voice cracking as he told the story.
“When Rampart manor was established hundreds of years ago the demons came close to discovering our location.”
“What happened?” Gabe gasped as the question slipped from his lips.
“I wasn’t born when Rampart was built. Legend says our Master Guardian at the time was given the task of venturing to the new world and building a training facility.” Michael began the story. “He was making progress and the locals were eagerly helping in the building process. Somehow a legion of demons discovered Rampart was being constructed and the village of Roanoke was helping in that construction. The demons came in during the night and wiped out the entire village.”
“Wait.” Gabe stopped Michael’s story. He couldn’t believe what he was about to ask. “Are you saying the ‘Lost Colony’ of Roanoke was slaughtered by demons?”
Michael nodded solemnly.
“Those left sought shelter within the walls of Rampart. Thanks to the clerics incantations, Rampart manor wasn’t discovered.” Michael stood and extended his hand to Gabe, clearing his throat.
“How about we go and get that food I’ve been promising you?” Michael asked. The sad history clearly unsettled him.
Remembering the previously mentioned feast, Gabe stood. As they walked towards a large, stone building across the courtyard, Michael further told Gabe about the manor and their mission to preserve mankind.
After a lifetime of being shifted around from foster home to foster home, Gabe thought about how the place sounded like a vacation paradise. Even with the threat of demons, he could imagine himself in this life.
Finally they arrived at the entrance to the dining hall. Michael pushed the old wooden door open to reveal a huge room that had wooden tables surrounded by long, rustic benches. The tables filled the large open space. Gabe imagined it could hold hundreds of people.
“This is where we all gather for our meals together.” Michael explained.
It finally dawned on Gabe exactly how vast this place was. It was quite amazing.
“Just around this corner,” Michael said, leading the way. Gabe followed him back through a large archway. As they continued down the corridor, amazing smells began to fill his nostrils. It was absolutely intoxicating. He could taste the sugar in the air as they walked.
They rounded a corner. Without warning, Gabe’s jaw dropped in awe as he saw a huge kitchen in front of him. The walls were covered in ivory subway tiles that Gabe imagined had probably been white
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