Chapter Chapter Twenty-four

I took my decision but part of me was still scared. I told Tristan and he nearly told everybody.

“Can I know what’s inside this fence now?” I asked Tristan as we walked in front of it with Aaron.

“Sure, just not now. My father should be with us and to be honest, you don’t want to know what’s in there. You won’t like it.”

We met his father. The man was so happy I think his cheeks were going to crack from the smiling.

I told him that Aaron will be going with me and he was confused for a second then said that he doesn’t care, the only thing he’s concerned about is drowning the island.

He was taking the both of us to the fenced area. All the people were looking at me like I was their saving grace or something. Too much responsibility was on my shoulders. They were smiling encouragingly at me but it only made me more nervous. I was afraid of the water but I also didn’t want to let these people down. On the way, a little girl gave me a white flower and told me a simple ‘good luck’ with the most innocent smile I’ve ever seen.

Me, Aaron, Tristan and his father were standing in front of the high gate.

I was half intimidated, half excited. I don’t want to know what’s in there anymore but I can’t take a step back now, not after I took my decision.

He opened the gate with his finger print and I almost laughed because of the contraindication; the gate looked incredibly old but the key was a finger print.

He entered first then Tristan. I stood there not daring to enter when I remembered what Tristan had told me this morning. Aaron held my hand and led me inside. The place wasn’t that bad.

The floor was a long glass pathway leading to a large circle in the middle. It was supported with metal poles to the ground and I could see them because there was water underneath this glass floor. All around the fence was filled with water.

“What’s that?” Aaron asked pointing at the water. It was filled with a big number of some brown sea creatures that looked like hairy sea snakes but with a very large mouth.

“The Garda.” Tristan said. Periwinkle made a sound afraid and stood right next to my feet. I held him when he shifted into the baby hamster and he snuggled deeper into me scared.

“They look vicious.” I said standing right in the middle of the path making sure I don’t fall into the water.

“They are.” Tristan answered throwing a big tuna fish into the water probably an animal shifter because I haven’t seen any other type of animals on this island but them, the Deltars and these Garda also.

The Garda was small the size of a normal fish or a small mouse but when that tuna fish touched the water they all ran towards it biting and tearing the flesh out of it aggressively. In a second the fish wasn’t there not even it’s skeleton.

“You’re supposed to drown the island from here.” Tristan instructed pointing at the glass circle in the middle.

“And these Garda?” I asked.

“What do you think? They’ll be there.” Tristan shrugged.

“You’re kidding. Look, if you want to kill me so bad why don’t you just put a dagger into my chest. It’ll be easier.” I told him sarcastically but the fear was obvious in my voice. Tristan laughed.

“Why would I want to kill you? You’re my friend. Here, let me explain something to you, Amber.” He told me.

“The name Garda means ‘Guard’ in Irish.” He stopped waiting for me to say anything but I didn’t. I wanted him to tell me everything he knows.

And what’s with this island and Irish names? First the Radharcs and now these Garda “These creatures are one of the three protectors of this island. They’re, what you can call, the underwater protectors, the third guard.” He continued and I looked at them.

“And who’s the first guard?” Aaron asked.

“The Earth Shifter is the first guard of Eossoda.” He answered. “And the people of are the second including the , in case you’re wondering.” Tristan emphasized more.

“What’s a " I asked. The name sounded so strange in my mouth.

“It’s really inrrelevant to explain this now. You should plan for what you’re going to do here first.” He said.

“But the Garda...” I started but Tristan answered me before I could finish.

“They won’t hurt you. The golden glow will work as a protector for you. The Garda will know that you’re the Earth Shifter.” I nodded relieved.

The knot in my stomach was tied when I thought of something else, “What about Aaron?”

“...”