CRACK!

Thunk!

I never meant to hurt him. I didn't. I promised to protect him from anything. And now look at what I've done.

I immediately ran towards Ace. We were only training that day. He wasn't just my best friend. No, he was the Guardian of the Wind. So he was the fastest of the fast. I thought he would dodge the rocks I threw at him. I thought my attacks would at least be weaker.

I am Drai. I am young at only 18 but I have powers that many can't even begin to imagine. I have to train to protect the world I live in along with the other Guardians who represent the other elements. Water, Fire, Rock, Grass, Wind, Electricity, Light and Darkness. Order on our planet revolves around these elements and life would be chaotic without them. I so happen to be the Rock Guardian. And my foolish actions have resulted in my closest friend to be where he is now. On the ground, mortally injured. Oh God, why…

I knelt down next to him and held him close to my chest. His right arm fell limp to his side and his and one of his angel-like wings was bent at a strange angle, clearly broken. He was still breathing but it was shallow and ragged.  There was a deep wound on his head underneath his short, light brown hair with blood practically pouring out of it. He was unconscious.

Seeing him helpless on the ground sparked several emotions inside of me. Self-hatred, anger, sadness, lo-

Suddenly, Striker appeared from the trees that surrounded the training area. He must have heard his brother fall on the ground. Once he saw Ace, he ran towards us at full speed.

"What happened!?" He yelled.

I didn't say anything. I never even looked up from Ace. Striker looked around and noticed the unnatural amount of stones and rubble around us. Realization struck.

He shook his head, his black hair shaking with it. "No, no... NO!!! YOU DID THIS DRAI?! YOU TWO WERE JUST TRAINING! YOU HURT MY BROTHER!" He screeched. Tears streamed down his face; his normally happy and mischievous blue eyes instead had a mix of sadness and pure rage. His fists were balled up and he was shaking slightly. I had never seen him like this.

The corners of my eyes burned where tears threatened to escape. "I'm sorry!" I held back a sob.

"YOU SHOULD BE SORRY!" I felt the tears stream down my face. I choked back another sob. Striker returned his attention to his unconscious brother. He stayed silent for what felt like hours but was really only a few moments.

"Just… help me." His voice softened but it was cold and empty sounding. I did as told and picked up Ace, holding him tightly to my chest, his heart beating against mine which relieved me a bit. My blue training tank was stained red with his blood. Tears soon soaked through the forest green fur on my neck. Silently sobbing, I quickly followed the bright yellow male to the nearest hospital.

~Le time skip~

I couldn't sleep that night despite knowing Ace was safe at the hospital now. Once we arrived, the doctors took him to the emergency center and wrapped his head in bandages, then took X-rays. He had a few broken ribs and confirmed my suspicions of a broken wing. I was crushed to hear about his wing. It would heal fast but he loves flying. His head was of my most concern. Luckily, he didn't suffer any internal or brain damage of any kind though he lost a lot of blood. After confirming that he will be fine, the doctors pretty much kicked us out of the hospital.

I headed home after. Blazeheart had heard about what had happened from Moonstar. Striker had told her what happened over the phone when he came home apparently. He tells her everything. Blazeheart tried to say something to me but I ran up the stairs to my room. I slammed the door and locked it. I didn't cry. I couldn't anymore.

As I lied awake, I could think about one thing. Why did I hurt you?