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Description
There is a place that serves as the gateway between heaven and hell. And in this place, there are those who must act as the gatekeepers. They are called guardians, and the place is called Rantal, which means Sanctuary in the ancient language. It once was the Guardian's job to protect the way between the earth realm and both heaven and hell. Times then changed, and it became simply their job to act as a boundary between heaven and hell.

This sanctuary is a peaceful place, with wide-open grassy fields, trees to climb, ponds to swim in, and a variety of different places to keep busy in. It seems to be modeled a lot after the Earth Realm. Of course, it could be that the Earth Realm was modeled after Rantal.

Though the Guardians' main purpose is to act as Gatekeepers, they have been given another task. A child has been placed in their care. Rantal would seem like the perfect place to shelter a child. There is nothing to harm him here, nothing but sanctuary and care. A good thing. But all good things come to ends it seems.

The Guardians are gathered in one of the fields. It is an interesting sight. They are human-like in body, but with very long arms and legs. In height, they range from seven to eight feet tall. Their heads are horse like, with long muzzles, and dog-like ears. They vary in color, and though all of them have long flowing hair, the hair varies in colors as well. Each of them wears a brightly colored robe. It is a little like watching a band of rainbows.

They seem concerned as they stand there, some swaying from side to side. One of them speaks in a soft voice. It is a male named Siv.

"Yoli, you know the boy better than us all, what say you?"

The female who speaks is grey in color with blue hair and a magenta robe. Her voice is musical, her nature serene.

"He is becoming very powerful."

The others nod murmuring to each other.

"Yes," Siv says. "I've seen that."

"He was healing one of the animals the other day," another Guardian adds.

"His powers are leaking without him realizing it," Yoli agrees. "The powers themselves will force him to leave if we don't act quickly."

"You mean ask him to leave now? Is he ready?"

"He can take care of himself, I believe. But, really, what choice is there? If we don't ask him to leave, he will be forced out. And if that happens, it will be painful. I'm also afraid he wouldn't understand if that happened. As far as it matters, he's a ten year old boy."
The others nod in agreement, murmuring again.

"Then you should talk to him," Siv decides. "He seems to trust you more than the rest of us."

"Yes," Yoli says. "I agree. I'll go talk to him." She shuffles off away from the others.

In Rantal, there are many orchards, and it's in one of these orchards that the young boy in question has come to sit. In mind and body he is ten years old, despite the fact that he's existed for much longer than that. For most of his young life, Sariel has been an active, healthy boy. He's probably more curious for his own good, but relatively healthy. And yet, recently, something hasn't sat right with him. He can't put it into words, but something feels off.

The branch that supports him is fairly low to the ground. It's sturdy enough to hold his weight. He sits with his back against the trunk of the tree, his wings held so that they don't rub against the rough bark. In his hands he holds an apple. There are several bites missing, but now it sits in his hands forgotten. His mind is elsewhere.

For some reason, his mind has gone to a place in the sanctuary that he often visits. There's a place here where pools of water act as windows to other realms. Sariel goes there often, and finds himself watching the same three pools.

The first place is a place filled with light and goodness. It seems so beautiful and pure there. The people have wings like his, only bright and shining white. He can never hear what they're saying, but they seem like they have a purpose. He almost envies them sometimes. He'd like to know what he was doing sometimes. They're very focused. No doubt, they have a goal.

The second pool lets him see a realm filled with darkness and shadows. He can see fire and smoke. There's a feeling of evil surrounding the place. Sariel feels like he shouldn't enjoy this realm, but something about it appeals to him. He feels just as drawn to the darkness as he does to the light.

His third pool shows him a place very unlike the other two. The people here are more varied in appearance. He doesn't see any with wings, but there are other things there. Many animals. The buildings interest him. The structures are so different from the tree houses that the guardians live in. He can tell that this place is neither good nor evil, but maybe a mixture of the two. Sariel's drawn to this place as well.

Sound and movement causes Sariel to look up. Seeing that it's Yoli cheers him somewhat. She has a pleasant look in her face, not unlike a smile, but too serious really to be happy.

"Bright the day young one," she says gently enough. The branch that Sariel sits on is high enough that it is eye to eye with Yoli, despite her height.

"Mornin' Yoli," Sariel replies.

"Do you mind if we talk?"

Sariel shakes his head, already curious.

"Good. Tell me Sariel, do you like it here?"

He tilts his head to the side, confused. "I guess so."

Yoli chuckles. "That didn't sound convincing."

"It's nice here. Peaceful. I like the trees. And the sky. I like the sky."

"Yes. I can see why. And you're right, it is very peaceful here. You know that's why you were left here."

"To be safe?"

"That's exactly right. You were left here to be protected. Children should be protected."
There is a long pause that causes Sariel to fidget on the branch. He doesn't understand where Yoli is going with her statements. Hopefully she'll explain.

"Sariel, you know that neither demons nor angels can exist here in the sanctuary. The powers here will not allow them to pass the boundaries." She pauses again. "You're getting very strong."

Sariel's eyebrows lower in confusion. "Yeah."

"Your powers have been showing themselves." Yoli sighs. "I should just get to it. Sariel, it's time for you to go."

It's like his stomach drops. Yoli wants him to go? Now? But this is home. The confusion and unhappiness must show on his face, because Yoli looks concerned.

"It isn't that we want you to leave," she says quickly. "But you are part angel and part demon. Until recently, your powers were weak enough that you could be allowed to stay here, but now." She gestures to the apple in his hands. "Look for yourself."

The apple has grown brown and rotten in his hands. Sariel stares at it for a moment, even as Yoli continues.

"If you don't leave by your own will, the powers here will remove you forcefully. We don't want to see that happen. It's very painful, and you might not survive it. The best thing is if you leave before it's too late."

Sariel nods slowly. "Where would I go?"

Yoli winces slightly at the resignation in his voice. "Well, I've seen you staring in the pools, looking at the different realms. We feel the best place for you would be the Earth Realm. There is still magic there, but the realm isn't overrun by it. You'd fit in there."

"And be safe?"

"Not like here. But you're strong and capable. You can take care of yourself."

"Will…will you be there?"

Yoli is quiet. Sariel's heart drops now. He knows the answer before she speaks again.

"Sariel, we can't leave this place. You know that."

"Will there be someone else?"

"I'm sure you'll make friends."

The answer is no then. Alone. He'll be alone. The realization washes over him in a cold shadow. Okay, so he'll be alone. Maybe that's what's been bothering him here. After all, despite the Guardians, he was alone here as well. It must be right for him to be alone.

Sariel stands up on the branch. His wings go out in reflex for balance.

"Sariel?" Yoli says quietly.

"Do I leave now?"

"Not just yet. We have a little time."

He nods. "I need to…"

"I understand. Sariel, you'll be fine. We believe in you. There is a greatness in you."

Sariel nods dismissively. He doesn't want to hear it.

"I'll see you Yoli."

He doesn't wait for her to say anything else. Away. He has to get away. Choosing a random direction, Sariel takes to the sky. Flying normally cheers him, but today it's a cold comfort. He's being asked to leave the only home he's ever known. And being asked to leave for something that isn't his fault.

The tears that come to his eyes are hot with anger. They are unwelcome tears, and mostly ignored. He can still see through them, and he notices that he's nearing the gateway pools. Bringing his legs under him, Sariel lowers to the ground. After landing near the Earth Realm pool, he kneels.

It's so crowded there. Maybe not a bad thing, but so unfamiliar. The people are strange to him and he can't help but think he'll be strange to them. How can they understand him? Friends? How can Yoli think he'll make any friends? No. It's like he thought, he'll be alone. Thinking about it again doesn't feel so bad. Each time it gets a little better. It's as if there's a spot in him that is numbing slowly to the idea. It's not like he has a choice anyway. Maybe it won't be so bad. Maybe it will. But either way, there's no way around it. The Earth Realm will be his home.

"Home." He whispers softly, getting used to the word. "My home."

Description
There is a place that serves as the gateway between heaven and hell. And in this place, there are those who must act as the gatekeepers. They are called guardians, and the place is called Rantal, which means Sanctuary in the ancient language. It once was the Guardian's job to protect the way between the earth realm and both heaven and hell. Times then changed, and it became simply their job to act as a boundary between heaven and hell.

This sanctuary is a peaceful place, with wide-open grassy fields, trees to climb, ponds to swim in, and a variety of different places to keep busy in. It seems to be modeled a lot after the Earth Realm. Of course, it could be that the Earth Realm was modeled after Rantal.

Though the Guardians' main purpose is to act as Gatekeepers, they have been given another task. A child has been placed in their care. Rantal would seem like the perfect place to shelter a child. There is nothing to harm him here, nothing but sanctuary and care. A good thing. But all good things come to ends it seems.

The Guardians are gathered in one of the fields. It is an interesting sight. They are human-like in body, but with very long arms and legs. In height, they range from seven to eight feet tall. Their heads are horse like, with long muzzles, and dog-like ears. They vary in color, and though all of them have long flowing hair, the hair varies in colors as well. Each of them wears a brightly colored robe. It is a little like watching a band of rainbows.

They seem concerned as they stand there, some swaying from side to side. One of them speaks in a soft voice. It is a male named Siv.

"Yoli, you know the boy better than us all, what say you?"

The female who speaks is grey in color with blue hair and a magenta robe. Her voice is musical, her nature serene.

"He is becoming very powerful."

The others nod murmuring to each other.

"Yes," Siv says. "I've seen that."

"He was healing one of the animals the other day," another Guardian adds.

"His powers are leaking without him realizing it," Yoli agrees. "The powers themselves will force him to leave if we don't act quickly."

"You mean ask him to leave now? Is he ready?"

"He can take care of himself, I believe. But, really, what choice is there? If we don't ask him to leave, he will be forced out. And if that happens, it will be painful. I'm also afraid he wouldn't understand if that happened. As far as it matters, he's a ten year old boy."
The others nod in agreement, murmuring again.

"Then you should talk to him," Siv decides. "He seems to trust you more than the rest of us."

"Yes," Yoli says. "I agree. I'll go talk to him." She shuffles off away from the others.

In Rantal, there are many orchards, and it's in one of these orchards that the young boy in question has come to sit. In mind and body he is ten years old, despite the fact that he's existed for much longer than that. For most of his young life, Sariel has been an active, healthy boy. He's probably more curious for his own good, but relatively healthy. And yet, recently, something hasn't sat right with him. He can't put it into words, but something feels off.

The branch that supports him is fairly low to the ground. It's sturdy enough to hold his weight. He sits with his back against the trunk of the tree, his wings held so that they don't rub against the rough bark. In his hands he holds an apple. There are several bites missing, but now it sits in his hands forgotten. His mind is elsewhere.

For some reason, his mind has gone to a place in the sanctuary that he often visits. There's a place here where pools of water act as windows to other realms. Sariel goes there often, and finds himself watching the same three pools.

The first place is a place filled with light and goodness. It seems so beautiful and pure there. The people have wings like his, only bright and shining white. He can never hear what they're saying, but they seem like they have a purpose. He almost envies them sometimes. He'd like to know what he was doing sometimes. They're very focused. No doubt, they have a goal.

The second pool lets him see a realm filled with darkness and shadows. He can see fire and smoke. There's a feeling of evil surrounding the place. Sariel feels like he shouldn't enjoy this realm, but something about it appeals to him. He feels just as drawn to the darkness as he does to the light.

His third pool shows him a place very unlike the other two. The people here are more varied in appearance. He doesn't see any with wings, but there are other things there. Many animals. The buildings interest him. The structures are so different from the tree houses that the guardians live in. He can tell that this place is neither good nor evil, but maybe a mixture of the two. Sariel's drawn to this place as well.

Sound and movement causes Sariel to look up. Seeing that it's Yoli cheers him somewhat. She has a pleasant look in her face, not unlike a smile, but too serious really to be happy.

"Bright the day young one," she says gently enough. The branch that Sariel sits on is high enough that it is eye to eye with Yoli, despite her height.

"Mornin' Yoli," Sariel replies.

"Do you mind if we talk?"

Sariel shakes his head, already curious.

"Good. Tell me Sariel, do you like it here?"

He tilts his head to the side, confused. "I guess so."

Yoli chuckles. "That didn't sound convincing."

"It's nice here. Peaceful. I like the trees. And the sky. I like the sky."

"Yes. I can see why. And you're right, it is very peaceful here. You know that's why you were left here."

"To be safe?"

"That's exactly right. You were left here to be protected. Children should be protected."
There is a long pause that causes Sariel to fidget on the branch. He doesn't understand where Yoli is going with her statements. Hopefully she'll explain.

"Sariel, you know that neither demons nor angels can exist here in the sanctuary. The powers here will not allow them to pass the boundaries." She pauses again. "You're getting very strong."

Sariel's eyebrows lower in confusion. "Yeah."

"Your powers have been showing themselves." Yoli sighs. "I should just get to it. Sariel, it's time for you to go."

It's like his stomach drops. Yoli wants him to go? Now? But this is home. The confusion and unhappiness must show on his face, because Yoli looks concerned.

"It isn't that we want you to leave," she says quickly. "But you are part angel and part demon. Until recently, your powers were weak enough that you could be allowed to stay here, but now." She gestures to the apple in his hands. "Look for yourself."

The apple has grown brown and rotten in his hands. Sariel stares at it for a moment, even as Yoli continues.

"If you don't leave by your own will, the powers here will remove you forcefully. We don't want to see that happen. It's very painful, and you might not survive it. The best thing is if you leave before it's too late."

Sariel nods slowly. "Where would I go?"

Yoli winces slightly at the resignation in his voice. "Well, I've seen you staring in the pools, looking at the different realms. We feel the best place for you would be the Earth Realm. There is still magic there, but the realm isn't overrun by it. You'd fit in there."

"And be safe?"

"Not like here. But you're strong and capable. You can take care of yourself."

"Will…will you be there?"

Yoli is quiet. Sariel's heart drops now. He knows the answer before she speaks again.

"Sariel, we can't leave this place. You know that."

"Will there be someone else?"

"I'm sure you'll make friends."

The answer is no then. Alone. He'll be alone. The realization washes over him in a cold shadow. Okay, so he'll be alone. Maybe that's what's been bothering him here. After all, despite the Guardians, he was alone here as well. It must be right for him to be alone.

Sariel stands up on the branch. His wings go out in reflex for balance.

"Sariel?" Yoli says quietly.

"Do I leave now?"

"Not just yet. We have a little time."

He nods. "I need to…"

"I understand. Sariel, you'll be fine. We believe in you. There is a greatness in you."

Sariel nods dismissively. He doesn't want to hear it.

"I'll see you Yoli."

He doesn't wait for her to say anything else. Away. He has to get away. Choosing a random direction, Sariel takes to the sky. Flying normally cheers him, but today it's a cold comfort. He's being asked to leave the only home he's ever known. And being asked to leave for something that isn't his fault.

The tears that come to his eyes are hot with anger. They are unwelcome tears, and mostly ignored. He can still see through them, and he notices that he's nearing the gateway pools. Bringing his legs under him, Sariel lowers to the ground. After landing near the Earth Realm pool, he kneels.

It's so crowded there. Maybe not a bad thing, but so unfamiliar. The people are strange to him and he can't help but think he'll be strange to them. How can they understand him? Friends? How can Yoli think he'll make any friends? No. It's like he thought, he'll be alone. Thinking about it again doesn't feel so bad. Each time it gets a little better. It's as if there's a spot in him that is numbing slowly to the idea. It's not like he has a choice anyway. Maybe it won't be so bad. Maybe it will. But either way, there's no way around it. The Earth Realm will be his home.

"Home." He whispers softly, getting used to the word. "My home."