The filtered sunlight made the room red and yellow, giving a mystical glow to everything in my surroundings. Toph gave a short description of who he was, an ascendant or guardian as they were now called from a time long past. Life had been more dispersed, and he had watched over a rather small metropolis. I gathered that he had been fairly powerful, but he refused to go further into those details.

“Do you know what a geas is Druin?” Toph asked after a prolonged silence. I had been taking my time to mull over what had said, trying to determine why he had called me to him.

We had nearly finished our tea and were munching quietly on what were home made pastries. I shook my head at the question. There was not a lot that I knew that Toph would come to find out.

“A geas,” he said pulling out a book from thin air and passing it over to me, “is a weakness that people like us have.”

I took the book from him and marveled at how beautiful it was. It was a small thing, bound in red stained leather with golden cursive writing on it that said “Aided Óenfhir Aífe”. Below that appeared words I could read “The Tragic Death of Connla”.

“That,” said Toph pointing to the book he had given me, “is the story of Connla, who is killed by his father, Cú Chulainn, with the sacred weapon, Gáe Bulga.”

“The Gáe Bulga? I’ve heard of that…” I trailed off as Toph raised his eyebrow. My heart started beating a little faster, had I revealed too much?

He nodded, “Good, that’s a starting point. When you have the time, read the story. It can teach people like us a lot about ourselves. Something you may never hear again from the others.”

I nodded back relieved.

“What are you doing here in Amara? I thought this was -” I stopped before saying Indra’s name in case it would make the room rumble again.

Toph laughed as I looked around nervously and continued, “Indra’s domain.” No twinkling of the lights this time. Not even minor static in the air.

“I’ve lived in Amara for a long time. Before it was called Amara and way before Indra came. I think I’ll spend my remaining years remaining quietly in the cityside of the place I’ve called home for the last few hundred years.”

I gaped, astonished at how Toph was. And then realized that it made sense with him being a god and all.

“Indra and I understand leaving each other alone. It allows me to be a quiet old man and he can rule his domain as he pleases. But enough of that, lets talk about why I called you.”

Toph pushed back his chair and got up, ambling towards the stove to refill our tea.

“Not for the geas thing?” I asked through a mouthful of pastry.

He chuckled. “No, not for the geas thing. Your journey. I believe you’re on your way to see the Eternal Hollow?”

I took a sip of the tea and eyed him suspiciously. For a quiet old man, Toph seemed to know a lot about what I was up to.

“Uh yes?” I answered hesitantly, taking another quick sip of tea to hide my nervousness.

He settled back down and peered at me intently from his glasses.

“Relax Druin, I am in no way trying to prevent you from the venture you embark upon. And in my many ways, just trying to help.”

I raised an eyebrow. For a demon, Toph had been very kind in offering advice he didn’t need to. Rather than calming me, this was making me even more wary.

“Why? Why have you been helping me?”

“Because you remind me of a young man I once knew. A lost soul who didn’t necessarily belong in the world he occupied.” Toph answered. His eyes glazed over for a second as memories took hold. Shaking his head, he returned to the present.

I still stayed wary. The Sacred Grounds people had offered help with a heavy price. Indra had offered to help but I knew there were hidden motives he didn’t divulge to me. I didn’t necessarily believe Toph was looking to be just a kind old man.

“Your companions, from the Grounds, will be here soon. I sent them a little guiding bird, so they don’t get lost. Here is what I offer: A quest to help you on your journey. Inside the walls of Amara, beneath the catacombs of this city lives a rather pestering beast. His name is Michael. If you can defeat him and bring me his sword, I’ll tell you where to go next.”

I almost laughed at that. This seemed extremely one sided for a quest.

“My reward is you telling me where to go next? I’m sure my friends have an idea of what to do.”

“Your friends seek Mekali, one of Amara’s soothsayers. What they do not know is Mekali passed over to the other side many blue moons ago. And they dare not ask the other soothsayers.” He rebutted, eyes twinkling behind the golden glasses.

“I can’t just accept this outright. What if Beo and the others have another plan?”

He leaned back in the chair, taking a moment to think.

“How about we just ask them?” He offered, “Looks like they’re just right outside.”

Ah, of course. We walked out of the makeshift kitchen and back into the bookstore. Toph had been right, Beo and the others were peering into the store from outside the glass doorway. Toph walked ahead to let them in, motioning for us to follow him to the checkout counter.

I looked sheepishly at Beo, afraid she’d be furious at my departure. She shot me a worried look and gestured towards Toph with an eyebrow. I gave her a noncommittal shrug and tried to send telepathic messages that said I’d explain later. Gin stepped to my side, his hand on a slim silver sword I hadn’t seen before.

Toph put his hands up, “Sorry for stealing young master Druin here. He had needs for some books that could only be found at this particular hole in the wall.” He gestured to me, where I had tucked away the red book under my arm. I pulled out the book to show the others and was surprised to find I was holding two books rather than one. The Tragic Death of Connla in addition to the Electrochemical Methods book I’d spied earlier were in my hand.

Toph gave me wink when I looked up confused. While walking out of the kitchen, I was sure I had only taken the red book with me. Gin and Ight appraised me with worried eyes, moving even closer towards me to shield me from Toph.

Beo nodded and gave a quick bow.

“We thank you, nameless Guardian for your kindness. How can we repay you?”

I gave a sigh of relief, happy that the others knew Toph wasn’t just any old man. But it made sense that the others would be able to know that those around them were possibly Guardians even if they didn’t know their identity. I noted that down as something to ask Beo, how she knew about Toph.

“A little sword from a man turned beast called Michael would be much obliged, mage child.” Toph answered.