Chapter 2 The Observatory

It did not like long for my Master, Aquila, and I to reach the Observatory. We both passed through who knows how many layers of clouds before the massive structure in the sky came into sight. I always loved seeing the giant structure in the sky. On all of the sides, you could see many entrances and stairways, and on the very top, Yggdrasil, the world tree, grew. The two of us entered through the 8-pointed star portal that was in the center of one of the floors of the Observatory.

"The first task a Guardian must perform upon returning from the Protectorate is to report to Apus Major" Aquila said.

I nodded at him in understanding. Apus Major was the oldest and probably the wisest Celestrian in the whole Observatory. He was the one in charge around here and he is the Senior to every other Celestrian. I wonder who will one day take his place?

"As unchanging as the North Star, you shall find him in the Great Hall." Aquila said.

"I have other matters to attend to. You must excuse me." Aquila said, before turning and walking away.

I usually never know what he's up to if he doesn't tell me. But, that's how he's always been in all of the decades I have known him. One person who may know is the one person ever wiser than Apus Major, Columbia. She's not a Guardian, but she is still a good person. After walking upstairs and getting and giving a few hellos to other people, I saw Apus Major sitting in his usual seat in the Great Hall.

I walked forward and was about to approach him, but the I then heard a familiar voice, Columbia's, through a partially open door. My interest was peaked, so I quietly walked over to the door and peaked in. I immediately noticed her talking to Aquila. Well, she was the one other person close to Aquila besides me.

"I was surprised to hear of Jaden's promotion. I did not expect you to permit it so soon." Columbia said.

"You assume too much Columbia. I also believe it is too soon for her to take on a Guardianship. It was Apus Major's decision." Aquila said. I slightly leaned inward against the door after hearing that. I also should've know it wasn't Aquila's decision. It seems he still think lightly of me.

"Indeed? How amusing! I might have known." Columbia said.

"It is no laughing matter. Jaden is but a fledgling. What if something were to happen in the Protectorate?" Aquila said.

I leaned in even more, probably now officially in the room. Now my heart is actually hurting. He thinks of me as a fledgling? I may not have any seniority, but I think I am doing fair enough as Guardian. And I bet I'd do just as fine when Aquila isn't around too.

"Do you forget the tragedy of Corvus so soon?" Aquila asked. Corvus? I think I've heard that name once or twice before, but no one ever says anything else about him and I've forgotten where else I've heard about him before. I ended up leaning in some more.

"Hmph. No, of course not, but..." Columbia said, but trailing off. She seems upset, did what Aquila say bring up something bad? Wait a minute, I remember! He was Aquila's and Columbia's Master. Did he die on the Protectorate or something?

"...we have been forbidden to talk of that matter here in the Observatory, have we not?" Columbia said. Did something that bad really happen to this guy?

"..." Aquila said nothing.

Really? My Master backed down from a subject that's not between him and a superior? I ended up leaning in just a tad more, but also ended up opening the door all the way. It made a loud enough squeaking noise to catch Aquila's attention. My heart almost felt like it skipped a beat when his eyes landed on me.

"Jaden! H-how long have you been standing there?" Aquila asked. I hesitated to answer him, but I knew I had to.

"Just now. I thought I'd see Columbia before speaking with Apus Major." I said. I felt a knot in my stomach after saying that. Probably because I lied to my Master and a superior. Aquila said nothing and just sighed.

"Why do you stand idle, Jaden?" Aquila asked.

"You have yet to make your report to Apus Major." Aquila said. I was slightly surprised he only cared about me not yet reporting to Apus Major. But, I have to say I'm not that shocked either. He was always following all of the rules to the book.

"Do you really wish to keep him waiting? Make haste. He is in the Great Hall just beside us here." Aquila said.

I nodded and, after doing a small bow, walked out of the room, leaving Aquila and Columbia. I quickly walked over to and up the small flight of stairs and found myself standing in front of Apus Major, the oldest Celestrian in the Observatory.

"Well met, Jaden, apprentice of Aquila." Apus Major said. I was getting a little annoyed by that title. It almost seemed like they didn't know me for me.

"Welcome back, Jaden. I trust your absence has not been so lengthy that you forget your old master, Apus Major!" Apus Major said with a grin. I couldn't help but laugh. While Aquila was my strict father figure, Apus Major was my funny grandfather figure.

"Of course not Apus Major." I replied. I then gave him my report about Angel Falls, the monsters, Erinn and her Grandfather, and the benevolessence. He nodded at me and gave me a warm smile under his long beard.

"My congratulations on successfully completing your first task as a Guardian, Jaden." Apus Major said.

"You have performed your duties well thus far, albeit under Aquila's watchful gaze." Apus Major said.

"But the time has come for you to spread your own wings. What say you? Are you ready to undertake your duties alone?" Apus Major asked. I was slightly taken back. My duties without Aquila? He has always been there for me, by my side, whether I want him to be or not. But, I guess he was alright. It was time I do thing on my own.

"Yes sir." I said.

"Ho ho ho! I see you are a confident apprentice, Jaden." Apus Major laughed.

"Very good. The young have confidence where the old have experience." Apus Major said.

"And so we come to the next of your duties." Apus Major said. I could tell this was the important part, so I began paying more attention again.

"I believe you have acquired a crystal of benevolessence, have you not? The essence of mortal gratitude." Apus Major asked. I nodded, remembering the small crystal I still carry.

"You must offer it up to the Great World, Yggdrasil, who shelters us with Her with her nurturing boughs from atop the Observatory."

"Hehe. Right." I said, letting out a forced laugh. I deeply respected Apus Major, but did he always have to talk so long and complicated?

"She will soon bear fruit at last. Go now, and do as I have instructed." Apus Major said.

I gave a small nod and a bow, then turned on my heal and began the long walk up many stair to Yggdrasil. The older Celestrians say that when Yggdrasil blooms, all of us Celestrians somewhere else. I'm not quite sure where, but they all seem to care a lot about it. I knew I had to care as well, but as I neared the tree, something inside me wasn't feeling right. Like something bad is gonna happen when I reach the top.