"So what do you guys make of all that?" Emily asked as they walked back to their cars.

It was almost dark by the time they had finished. Andie had called Hannah to tell her she'd be a little late but not to worry. Hannah could be left alone a few hours. She knew very well not to go into the kitchen alone. Their parents had told them enough times.

"... Honestly, I have no idea..." Andie said, frowning. "I mean it explains a fair bit about what's been going on, but... me, a fire warrior? Or whatever we're supposed to be?"

The confusion was heavy in the air around them. Aside from Bane, none of them showed any sign of understanding any part of this mess. Then, Andie realized something. It proved that his apologetic expression had indeed been connected to this. He seemed to guess her thoughts because he said:

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about this sooner... I wanted to, I just couldn't."

"So, what exactly are we?" Jessica asked.

"You're you. Only you possess the powers of fire, water, earth and air."

"And you're our protector, is that it?" Isabelle asked.

"Precisely." Bane nodded.

"So, what are we supposed to do, now? If those demons come back, we're not going to be prepared..." Andie said.

"No, you're not," Bane agreed.

"Hey!" Jessica said. "I can take those things."

"No, he's right," Andie said. "We don't know the first thing about fighting, let alone using our powers."

"Exactly. So I suggest we set a training schedule."

"Who would train us?" Jessica asked.

"Me. And the guardians, probably. Why, d'you have a problem with that?" Bane asked.

"No, just a question," Jessica said. "So..." she added thoughtfully, touching her chin. "You're saying the incarnation of the four elements chose us to take over from them?"

"Yes."

"And we have to fight demons and get super powers?"

"I wouldn't exactly call them super powers," Bane amended, "but that's the gist, I suppose."

Jessica beamed.

"Epic! Do we get to pick cool superhero names too?"

Andie had known Jessica for five years, now, and yet she still marveled at how quickly she changed her mind sometimes. Emily, on the other hand, didn't seem that surprised, though she had known Jessica for longer.

"Jess, we're not super heroes," Emily said. "Heck, I don't even know what this is about, but... I think it's far more complicated that any of us know."

"And I'll try and explain it, but... not tonight." Bane said.

Andie then noticed how exhausted he looked. For some strange reason, she wanted to take his arm. And what was even more curious was that she didn't really know why she didn't do it. Probably because the other girls were there. Yes, that was probably it.

"Oh, come on, you can't just up and leave us like that!" Jessica protested.

"No, he's right. I think that's already a lot to take in, for one night," Andie intervened.

He flashed her a grateful smile and turned towards his car.

"C'mon, Isabelle, I'll drop you off at your house," Jessica said.

"Okay. Bye, guys. We'll see you at school!"

"Sure, bye!"

Slowly, the girls drove off. The dark was quiet, and soothing. The gentle rustling of the trees sounded like music to Andie, who closed her eyes to enjoy it a few seconds. When she opened them again, she realised with a start that Bane and she were the only ones left.

"Is everything okay, Andie?" he asked, his eyes bright with concern.

"Yeah... it's just... like I said, it's a lot to process. But I'll be okay."

She tried to smile convincingly, but wasn't sure how effective it was.

"I'd better go, my parents will be wondering what I'm up to," she said.

"Yeah. I'll see you at school."

Andie nodded. She turned to her car, the suddenly uncomfortable silence heavy in the air. Then, impulsively, she turned round. Bane was already walking away towards his car.

"Bane?"

He paused, then turned around.

"Yes?"

"... Be careful," she said, though she wasn't sure why.

The dark veiled his features slightly, but Andie thought she saw him smile.

"I will. You too."

Andie couldn't stop thinking about the conversation they had just had. It felt completely surreal and impossible, and yet, it answered many questions that had been in her head lately. That dream she'd had with the other version of herself, why Bane had looked apologetic when he'd never even spoken to her... There was also the incident of the library... had that "force field" actually been a manifestation of her powers? It certainly seemed that way. But she wasn't sure whether she would be capable of doing it willingly. She supposed that incident had been a defensive reflex because of the box falling towards her. But if more demons were to attack, she would have to overcome that bump in the road. And fast, because the way Balon and the others were making it sound, Zorak might well come after them again, and probably soon. She half had a mind to not go home to not risk leading the demons to her family. But that would only draw unwanted attention. And besides, she didn't want to live in constant fear of an attack. She even felt a little ashamed at her reaction the night before.

"You were taken by surprise."

Andie, startled, almost lost control of her car for a second. Swerving slightly, she got back on track. Her heart racing, she glanced to her right.

"God! Don't do that!" she said.

Ardente was sitting beside her in her ethereal form.

"Sorry," Ardente said. "I should have announced myself."

"No, I think it would have been the same... never mind. Just don't do it when I'm driving."

"Driving?"

"What I'm doing now." Andie explained. "I could have killed someone."

"I will remember that."

Andie turned her attention back to the road.

"Is something the matter?" Ardente asked. "You seem troubled."

Oh, really? Andie thought sarcastically.

"Yes, well that would be because I'm just the tiniest bit anxious about demons being after me." Andie said. "And learning I have some kind of weird fire power isn't all that easy to deal with, either."

She tried to keep the bite out of her voice. It wasn't Ardente's fault.

"Sorry... It's just... a lot to process." she said.

"I understand that. I tried to tell Balon we should have trained you all, even seperately, but he wouldn't hear of it... in fact, I believe that might partially have been my fault."

Frowning, Andie chanced a glance at Ardente. She looked sad.

"Why d'you think that?" Andie asked.

Ardente sighed.

"... Because he wanted to protect me, and to him that meant making sure Zorak would have as few chances of returning as possible. And to him, keeping the new masters of nature in the dark was a good way to accomplish that. But I convinced him to at least train one of them. Who knew what could happen? And... it seems I am proven right."

Andie was silent.

"You still have strong feelings for one another," she said eventually.

"We do. I don't think that ever changed. Why do you ask?"

Andie wasn't sure how to describe it. But Ardente seemed to understand without needing her to.

"Oh... you mean the new Guardian of Light," she said. "Bane, was it? Yes, I think he definitely has a fondness for you."

Andie was about to say she knew that but didn't feel the same way, and thus felt guilty because she knew it would hurt him, which was the last thing she wanted to do... But she suddenly found she couldn't. She couldn't get the words out. Because now that she came to actually think about it, she wasn't sure what she felt. Bane was a friend, of course, and she owed him her life, which was not insgnificant. But when she tried to picture anything more than friendship between them... she couldn't. She could only see them both getting hurt somewhere, and if that happened, then what? No, they were far better off as friends.

"There are many complex matters in one's life, but no one would argue that those of the heart are the most complex of all."

"Yeah..." Andie sighed. "I know. But that doesn't make it fair."

Bane drove back to his uncle's house very aware of Balon sitting beside him. They didn't speak at first but there was definite tension in the vehicle.

"We had to," he said. "After last night, we couldn't just leave things like they were."

Balon's arms were crossed over his chest, frowning. Bane wore a similar expression but wasn't planning on letting the matter go without discussion.

"You let your feelings get in the way." Balon said.

Bane rolled his eyes. His mentor always went on about never letting your feelings cloud your judgment, but whenever he was asked why he felt that way, never gave a real answer except for "it keeps you from thinking clearly and leads you to make rash decisions that usually end badly."

"And what about you?" Bane snapped, glaring briefly at him. "You did exactly the same by keeping them in the dark."

"Because I didn't want our mistake to repeat itself!" Balon retorted hotly.

"You fell in love!" Bane said. "How in the world is that a mistake?"

"Love is for those with ordinary, peaceful lives. Not us." Balon said, not looking at him.

"Oh, so you're saying you'd rather not be in love with Ardente?" Bane asked.

As he'd expected, Balon didn't answer right away.

"... No." he said. "I'd never reject what we feel. But..."

"Yeah, I thought not." Bane interrupted.

"But," Balon went on, "we had no possible future. How could we be truly happy with each other when we were nigh constantly fighting for our lives? We couldn't marry, raise a family..."

Silence fell once again. Bane had to admit that was true.

"Well, don't worry about it. Because it's not going to happen again." Bane said a little bitterly.

"Why?" Balon asked.

Bane tried to not take offense at the lack of sympathy in his mentor's tone as he answered:

"Because Andie doesn't feel the same way as I do."

Jessica and Isabelle made their way toward Isabelle's house.

"Some night, right?" Jessica commented.

"You've said it," Isabelle agreed. "I still don't know what to think of it..."

"You and me both," Jessica nodded.

There was a silence.

"Hey... I was wondering, did you notice Bane and Andie?"

Jessica's eyes turned concerned.

"You mean their awkwardness? Yeah, I did, actually. D'you think they had a fight or something?"

Isabelle didn't answer at once, her clever eyes thoughtful.

"... I wouldn't say a fight." Isabelle said finally. "But I think Bane likes Andie..."

"Well, that's great! Why do you make it sound like it's a bad thing?"

Isabelle sighed.

"Because Andie's always said she wasn't that interested in boys..."

Jessica frowned in confusion, then understood.

"Oh... that's not good, then..."

Isabelle shook her head.

"Well, maybe we co-"

"No, I know what you're thinking, and that is a terrible idea. Andie would hate us for it. No. If something has to happen, it will."

"Bu-"

"No!" Isabelle said firmly. "Jessica Leighton, you are not playing matchmaker with our friends! Andie told me what happened the last time you tried."

"That was years ago!"

"It was last year."

Jessica had spent weeks the year before trying to get Ben Jacobs and Leila Palon together. The only problem with that was that Leila had a boyfriend, and he didn't take too kindly to Jessica's attempts and getting Leila with someone else. And though nothing had actually happened, they had eventually broken up. Fortunately, they had gotten back together a few weeks later. But Andie had clearly said she didn't want Jessica to try that with her. She had accepted it then... but now...

"And they're clearly both unhappy!" Jessica insisted.

"No, Jessica." Isabelle said. "They'll be fine. They're adults, let them work it out themselves."

Jessica huffed.

"Okay... I suppose you're right." she said finally.

Isabelle made a mental note to keep an eye on her and call Emily as soon as she was alone in her room.

"Okay, I'd better go. Thanks for the lift," she said, climbing out.

"Don't worry about it. See you tomorrow!"

"Bye, drive safe." Isabelle said.

"You know it," Jessica grinned and drove away.

Isabelle smiled as she watched her turn the corner, thinking it was astounding how someone like Jessica, who was vivacious and impulsive, could have the power of stable and peaceful earth.

Andie reached her house and climbed out. Her parents wouldn't be back for a few more hours, she noticed as she glanced at her watch. Their flight wouldn't have landed yet.

"Would you rather I leave?" Ardente asked.

"... No. No, it's okay. In fact, I'm glad you're here. Maybe you can answer some of my questions. But I should warn you, I have tons."

"I'm sure you do," Ardente said with a small smile. "Should I assume my human form or remain as I am now?"

"Stay like that for now. Oh, wait. Can other people see you?"

"In this form, only you and the other masters can."

"Okay, good."

Hannah would burst with questions if she saw Ardente, and would hurry to tell her parents the first chance she got. And that was the last thing Andie wanted. Her mother wouldn't rest until she knew every single detail of what was going on. Andie got out, picked her bag from the back seat and went inside. Hannah had gone to a friends's house, and the mother had said she'd drop her off. But her blood ran cold when she turned her key in the door and saw it was unlocked. Hannah had a key and was perfectly capable of letting herself in, but Andie and her parents had always told her to lock up when she was alone... if it was unlocked...

"Hannah...!" she whispered, fear gnawing at her stomach.

She was trying very hard not to panic. Could a demon have taken on a human form and snuck into the house? Hannah was of course always reminded never to let strangers in or even talk to them, but if it took on the form of someone she knew... She flung the door open and ran inside.

"Hannah?!" she called. "Hannah? You home?"

There was no answer. But the light was on... where was she?

"Hannah!"

"Andie?"

Relief washing over her like a tidal wave, she hurtled forwards and pulled her sister into a tight hug.

"... Ow! Andie, you're squeezing too hard!" came Hannah's muffled voice against Andie's jacket.

"Oh... sorry." Andie said, releasing her. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah... what's wrong? Did something happen to Mom and Dad?"

Andie bit her lip. She had been so scared for Hannah, she was making her scared, too. She knelt down and looked at her.

"Mom and Dad are fine. They'll be home before you know it."

"Then why are you all scared?" Hannah asked, looking anxious and confused.

"You left the door unlocked."

Hannah had been told so many times to lock it she had probably come to think she'd be punished if she didn't. Her eyes widened.

"I'm sorry, Andie, I didn't mean to, I won't forget next time, I promise I won't..."

"Hey, hey, Hannah, calm down. It's okay. I'm not mad at you. We won't punish you for forgetting to lock the door. But you need to understand how important it is. You see, you never forgot before. So when we came back, and saw the door locked, we knew you were safe. Okay?"

Hannah nodded.

"So, if one time we come to find it unlocked, what do you think that tells us?"

Hannah frowned slightly, thinking hard.

"... You'd think something was wrong." she finally said.

"Exactly. We might think someone came in and hurt you. That's why we always tell you to lock it. You understand?"

Hannah nodded. Andie sighed, realizing she probably sounded severely deranged, but that was what happened when she thought her sister was in trouble. She loved her that much.

"Come on, let's order a pizza and watch a movie, okay?"

"Yeah!" Hannah said, beaming.

"You pick a movie, I'll get the pizza."

"'Kay!"

Andie stood up and headed to the door, while Hannah headed to the cupboard they put all their movies and books in. As she reached the handle, she turned round.

"Hannah?" she asked.

Hannah looked up.

"Yeah?"

Andie hesitated a second, then just said:

"... I love you. You know that, right?"

"Sure, I do. I love you too."

Andie gave her a small smile and left the room.

She went to the phone and looked up the number on the list of phone numbers that always stayed next to the phone in case of emergencies. She ordered the pizza and went back to the living room where Hannah was looking through the different possibilities.

"You picked anything out?" she asked.

"Hm... Yep! This one!"

"Don't you know that one by heart, by now?"

"Yeah, but I never get tired of it!" Hannah grinned.

"No, I suppose I'm the same," Andie smiled. "Here, I'll put it on, why don't you go grab some plates from the kitchen for when the pizza arrives."

"Can we eat in front of the movie?" Hannah asked excitedly.

"Yeah, why not?"

Her parents usually disapproved of that, but once couldn't hurt, could it? Surely not. Hannah sat quietly on the couch and watched the screen come to life. Andie was about to sit down beside her when she thought she saw a flash of movement out the window. She froze.

"No..." she whispered.

"Andie, what is it?" Hannah asked.

Andie looked at her. All she could think about was keeping her safe.

"Hannah... You stay right here, okay? Don't move, I'll be right back."

"But the movie's about to start..." Hannah said, pointing to the television screen.

"I know, it's okay. I'll be back in a flash."

She then stepped forwards and pressed her lips to her sister's forehead. Straightening up, she fought to look confident and calm as she turned and left the room. He heart hammering, she went to the front door, and slipped outside. It was dark now. But somehow, she could see things almost as clearly as day. She wondered if that was one of her powers. After all, fire was light, wasn't it? She slowly walked around the house, trying to keep out of Hannah's sight. If she saw her outside, she'd be out the front door before even thinking about it. And if this was what she really thought it was, she didn't want her sister anywhere near it. She thought about calling her friends, but the same reason stopped her. She wanted to keep them safe. Not to mention that by the time they got there, it would most likely be too late. She would have to deal with this on her own. She reached the back of the house... and froze. There, only a few feet ahead, stood a dark figure that was definitely human. Or human looking at least. He was dressed all in black and Andie instantly felt an aura of power flowing from him. It made her shudder.

"Why, hello, Adrianna."

The stranger turned around, his white face, pale grey eyes, his thin lips and long nose. Andie had never seen him before, and yet she knew exactly who he was.

"... Zorak..."

**********************************

Uh oh! And I thought she was in trouble last chapter! Give her your support now with the power of the star!

I would like to see in the dark, wouldn't you? Let us know in the comments!

What does Zorak want with Andie? Will she survive this encounter? Find out in the next chapter!