The Heart of Time The Guardian Heart Crystal Series Book 1 Amy Blankenship Copyright © 2008 Amy Blankenship English Edition Published by Amy Blankenship Second Edition Published by TekTime All rights reserved. The Legend of the Heart of Time The worlds may change… but true legends never fade. Darkness and light have constantly battled since the beginning of time. Worlds are formed and crushed beneath the feet of their creators, yet the ongoing need for good and evil have never been in question. However, sometimes a new element is thrown into the mix… the one thing that both sides want but only one can have. Paradoxical in nature, the Guardian Heart Crystal is the one constant that both sides have always striven to attain. The crystalline stone has the power to create and destroy the known universe, yet can end all suffering and strife in the same breath. Some say the crystal has a mind of its own… others say the gods are behind it all.
Chapter Two "The Flip Side" On the other side of The Heart of Time, two years later… and over a thousand years into the future. The letter was addressed to the Hogo shrine. Grandpa Hogo looked at the elegant envelope the messenger had just handed him as he carried it back to the table where he had been sipping tea. Before the knock on the door, he had been enjoying the peace and quiet of the usually over active house. Everyone else had gone out for the evening. Tama was at the game room in town with friends, and Kyoko had gone to the library to study, while Mrs. Hogo had taken off to do some grocery shopping. Picking up a small knife from the table, Grandpa slid the sharp blade through the gold-rimmed envelope carefully. He reached in, pulling out a notarized letter on heavy-duty gold-rimmed paper, and started reading it. The more he read, the wider his eyes became. It was a scholarship, a full scholarship to a very expensive school on the outskirts of the other side of the c
Chapter 3 "Meeting Toya" Shinbe leaned forward with a serious look on his face, his amethyst eyes almost glowing, "There are some normal people here, and then there are the ones that have scholarships like me and Suki. There are others that have scholarships, but we all have some kind of special ability… like a power normal people do not have.” “Mine is Telekinesis. I can move objects with my mind.” “And telepathy which means I can speak to others with my mind.” He said the words without making a sound, knowing she could hear him within her own mind. Kyoko’s lips parted when she didn’t see his lips move and his voice echoed inside her head. She suddenly felt warm all over like his voice was supposed to be there or … something. Her expression relaxed and her eyes softened as she gazed at him. Shinbe tried to hide his curious frown… when he had linked minds with her just then… it had taken all his concentration just to close the connection. It was as if his power wanted to sta
Chapter 4 "Pay Attention" Kyoko jerked back from him, all of a sudden feeling vibes coming off him that she wasn’t supposed to feel. Something was going on here and she felt like she was the last one to know about it. "I need answers," she whispered in a nervous voice, biting her bottom lip in hopes of getting rid of the tickling sensation Kyou had created. She wished briefly that she could get rid of the breathtaking shivers that decided to take the bullet train through her nervous system. Inhaling her scent and feeling his blood instantly heat, Kyou leaned back. He had seen the girl’s small body shiver but not in revulsion. Glancing down, he almost smirked when he saw her arms come alive with goose bumps. “Why are you suppressing your power? You need to be aware of your surroundings before the past is repeated." The slightly arrogant voice told her. Kyoko gulped, "What do you mean by that?" She tensed up. "You are aware there are immortals here at the school, are you
Chapter 5 "Growled Warning” Kyoko picked up a rubber band from the vanity and pulled some of her unruly auburn hair back into a pony tail, leaving the back in a short bouncy layer and a long layer to flow free down her back. She leaned in close to apply just a touch of blush then stood up, walked to the full-length mirror, and turned around examining herself. Suki had talked her into wearing some of her clothes and Kyoko felt different. The black mini skirt flared out as she turned, showing off shapely legs due to all the workouts she exposed herself to. The tight pink shirt had black lace all the way down the back, and in the front a black lace ‘V’ shape went almost to her breasts. Kyoko shook her head at the exposed cleavage. It made her wonder if Suki wasn’t the one chasing after Shinbe just as much as he was chasing her. Picking up her cross earrings, she wondered why she had agreed to look like a wild child. She was startled out of her musings when someone knocked ti
Chapter 6 "Enemy’s Touch" He didn’t say a word as he drove and she almost fell asleep on the way back to the dorm. When he got her out of the vehicle, she looked up at him and for a moment they stood still, Toya holding her to him to keep her steady. Kyoko gazed deep in his golden eyes and whispered, "Toya, I missed you,” her voice sounded so truthful. Toya suddenly got the strangest feeling that he had missed her too, somehow, before now. He touched her cheek, frowning as something flashed in his mind. He saw her lying outside, under a tree, sleeping on a blanket… and him above her, sitting in that tree watching her sleep. Toya closed his eyes for an instant, and the image disappeared but left him with a warm feeling. He steered her toward the building, knowing they really wouldn’t be safe until they were inside. He could feel shadow demons hidden within the darkness watching them and he wondered why they didn’t attack. Kyoko looked up at all the stairs and groaned
Chapter 7 "Too Slow" Kyoko had been a little freaked when she opened her eyes and found Kyou standing above her, watching her with haunted eyes. The only words he’d spoken were, "We need to train." Then he took her by the arm and pulled her off the bed without hurting her, but with enough force to let her know he was boss for now. Kyoko frowned at him once they reached the hall. "Are you always so heavy handed?" She pulled on her arm and stumbled when he instantly let go. Kyoko’s eyes shot to his, and she felt her temper spark. That was, until he turned from closing her door to opening his. She just stared at him. Kyou saw her sudden stop, and without any noticeable emotion what so ever, he taunted, "What? Are you frightened?" Kyoko straightened her back, marching past him and into his living room. Satisfied, Kyou closed the door then passed her up, saying, "Follow," as he stepped into another room. Kyoko's eyes narrowed. She cocked her head to one side, sending her hai
Chapter 8 "Flames of Friendship” Hyakuhei took a step behind the tree when Toya entered the gym area. His black eyes widened as the silver guardian drew closer to Kyoko. This was the guardian who was a force of his own. The mere thought of Kyoko in danger would heighten Toya’s power… making him very unpredictable during battle. Even Toya did not know the extent of his own strength, but Hyakuhei knew… when Kyoko was in danger… Toya’s power becomes limitless. Even the other guardians were unaware of this fact. Toya had been the one to receive the power of the one true guardian and that made him the fiercest during combat. The more he wanted to protect her, the stronger he would become… such power was disturbing. Hyakuhei’s hand fisted as he remembered the curse he’d put on the boy. He had hoped that one day the curse would destroy Toya and his limitless power but to this day, the silver guardian seemed unaffected. 'One day Toya… the curse will take you by surprise.' His
Chapter 18 "Silver and Golden Tears" Kyoko wiped the back of her hand across her eyes trying to keep the tears from blurring her vision, but the constant flow wouldn’t stop. It’d been a year since the maiden shrine had been destroyed. It had taken that long to make herself come back to the spot where it had all happened. Now she sat, leaning back against the pile of rubble that once linked this world to the past. She held on to the memories like a lifeline, never wanting to forget them again. She’d fought so hard to regain all of her memories… only to lose something even more precious. The horrible wound to her shoulder was now gone thanks to the healing power deep inside her. She gave a pain-filled smile, thinking about her friends. They’d watched over her for the weeks she had remained in what seemed to be a coma after she’d passed out at the shrine. They’d all taken turns watching over her, talking to her, trying to bring her back. Somehow, it had worked. Kyoko thought of
Chapter 17 "Heart Wrenching Call" Feeling the power of the shrine draw closer, Hyakuhei slowly descended to the ground, keeping her within his arms. As his feet connected with the shadows, he understood it was time to leave this time paradox. Their kiss had not only unlocked her memories… but some he’d forgotten as well. Yes, he knew of the maiden shrine’s existence in this world… in every world. His long dark hair blew in the silent breeze as he took it all in. Had he finally won? Had he finally stolen back what had been taken from him so long ago? For a moment he didn’t move as the demons he housed within his soul sensed the nearness of the heart of time and stirred. Up until now they had mostly remained dormant in this world. He caressed Kyoko's body and once again lowered his lips to seal them across hers. His thoughts darkened due to the demons influence. Did the guardians not understand that they had started this war by barring him from the one he loved in the past? Now
Chapter 16 "True Terror" Hyakuhei stood motionless on the ground outside the academy… staring hauntingly up at her window once the intense light had faded from their combining of bodies and powers. He could still feel the energy radiating from the room above him, even from this distance. He hadn't moved for quite some time… as if he were in a trance. His dark eyes stayed glued to the dim light of the glass. He could feel his own power stronger than it had been since being born into this era, now that he had some of the Guardian Heart Crystal within him. The tainted blood within his veins wanted more of that same power. How dare she share it with his enemy… his own nephew? Needing to see her and feel her at the same time, he patiently waited. Watching, silently beckoning her to come to the window… to come to him. Hyakuhei had tasted the power inside her and was connected to her enough to be able to reach his mind out to her, even through the barrier Kyou had created to keep al
Chapter 15 "Possession" Kyou knew Toya now slept as he stood outside Kyoko's door. With a snap, the barrier disappeared, and with a cold stare the door opened as if obeying his command. He silently entered, the door softly shutting behind him. His gaze trailed towards Kyoko's bedroom. He could feel her on the other side, asleep. He quietly entered her room only to find it empty. His gaze flew to the bathroom door wondering why she would be asleep there instead of on the soft bed he’d provided for her. Within seconds, he was standing over the full tub of now lukewarm water, frowning down at a sleeping Kyoko. Her hair was up on the rim of the tub so as not to get wet, and a towel was folded under her head where she leaned back in the water. His eyes traveled down her jaw line to the arch of her neck and her shoulders, with only a couple bubbles still in the water. His gaze trailed down lower, heating his blood. He’d seen her soaking in the hot springs much the same way many times.
Chapter 14 "Reawakening Memories" Kyoko stopped struggling against him since it wasn’t working anyway. She couldn’t fight the feeling that she owed him… that much she could feel somewhere deep within her heart. She bit her bottom lip trying to sort through the jumble of thoughts running rampant through her scattered mind. He didn’t seem to want to hurt her now, even though she still didn’t trust him. The memory had been so real. But at this instant, Kyou was holding her so completely that for a moment, she felt her fear falling away. Trapped against his chest, she murmured, "Why can’t you let me go? Why didn't you tell me we were enemies? Why did you try to kill me?" She hoped he could erase the lingering shadow of doubt. With her ear pressed against his chest, she could hear his heart speed up then slow down at her questions. Kyoko could almost feel his heart breaking because of her. Why would he feel so hurt if he were her enemy? The question whispered through her mind a
Chapter 13 "Memories of Deception" Hyakuhei watched the confusion and pain as the beautiful emotions crossed Kyoko's expression in waves and he knew his memories of deception had worked. The plan was to separate her from the ones who loved her, also from the two guardian lords she’d fallen in love with in the past, his own blood. He would win this time, as long as he had possession of Kyoko’s memories. He would not allow her to love them! Hyakuhei’s momentary gratification was interrupted as his gaze searched the darkened sky for a fleeting second. He knew Toya was coming for her, he could sense the dangerous guardian getting closer. He would hide his true form from them a little longer. He needed more time with her, but for now he would leave her with her jaded memories. Hyakuhei suppressed the evil grin that threatened to form on his face and mentally called out to some of his weaker demons that had been lying in wait for his command. Since Kyoko thought he was human, she w
Chapter 12 "Dangerous Minds" Kyou seemed bored and emotionless as he leaned back against the headboard of his massive bed, straightening out his long legs… but it was a lie. His golden gaze focused on nothing as he slowly withdrew into his own mind. He had trained with Kyoko all day, and was still amazed at how quickly she could catch on to what he was teaching her. He knew she would grow stronger with every day they trained. She would not disappoint him. He’d taught her to mask her scent, so she could hide from an enemy if the need arose. She caught on quickly, even though she could not hide her scent from him, ever, even if she wanted to. She had shared his life force and that was her undoing. He smiled inwardly, secretly liking the fact that he was the only one who could find her even when she did not want to be found. Still, he could tell the trick would work with others. It was an ability she should’ve already known and mastered. Masking her scent would have served her w
Chapter 11 "Fighting Kyou" Kyoko walked into the elevator, although it was really the last place she wanted to be at that moment. She silently wondered what she’d done to piss the gods off and what she would have to do to make them quit playing jokes on her. She watched Kyou while his back was still to her, but as soon as he turned around facing her, she withdrew and looked at the doors waiting on them to open, hoping it was soon. She didn’t do nervous very well, and she knew it. Still trying to deal with the way she was looking at Kyou’s… body was hard enough. Right now she was just a bit happier he’d turned around so she couldn’t look at it anymore. Kyou could smell her apprehension and at the moment, he was glad. It overpowered her other scents… because in a closed elevator she… His thoughts drifted, then the ride came to an end with the doors opening. He smirked when Kyoko practically ran out of the elevator, only to come to a stop and wait on him not knowing where to go.
Chapter 10 "Heat of Memories" Kyou had calmed down after ridding the room of the sofa. He now lay in his own bed under control, thinking about what had just happened. Her scent was still fresh within the thick blankets that covered the mattress. He closed his eyes, tapping into the memories of the past. He remembered a time about a month before the final battle when.... within his mind’s eye, he could see it all as if it had only been yesterday.... Kyou stood on a hill overlooking a small canyon when he caught the scent of Toya, the priestess, and the other guardians that traveled with them. A burst of golden feathers rent the air as the shadow of his wings shattered into existence. He closed the distance quickly to find them in the heart of the canyon, in the middle of a battle with a nest of snake-like demons. Quickly, he began to assess the situation before him. Shinbe was helping the dark haired girl Suki fend off several snake demons that were seeping out of the ground a