25. Michael

Surrounded by his fellow Guardians, including the chief, Michael felt a profound sense of camaraderie. These males had become his family, taking him under their proverbial wings, teaching him, and supporting him through his transition and beyond. Still, as laughter filled the air and stories of past exploits were shared, Michaels mind drifted to his old friends from college.

He wished they could be there with him, along with his parents, to celebrate his bachelor party and attend his wedding.

It had been a spontaneous decision to secure one of the nights on the cruise for their wedding, and although Michael had agreed to it, he hadnt been happy about celebrating without at least his parents attending.

Perhaps once they returned home, he and Kri could have another wedding in Vegas with his parents, his best friends Eddie and Zach, and maybe also Kris mother if she was up to it. After all, the cruise wedding did not provide any official documentation, so in the human world, they wouldnt be considered married.

The more occasions to celebrate, the better, right?

Since stepping through the veil separating their worlds, Michael had met with his college friends from time to time, but they had drifted apart.

Zach and Eddie did not belong in his new world, where gods and immortals were real, and he had become an immortal himself, but he did not want to let go of them just because he had been changed.

He still remembered vividly introducing Kri to them over four years ago. Hed been anxious about how his friends would react to his new girlfriend and the fact that he was not returning to college.

Even though his buddies had been with him when hed been thrust into this new world, they had no recollection of how it had happened. Yamanu had thralled them to forget the Doomers attack, replacing their memories with a story about a drunken brawl and a sudden family emergency that Michael had to attend to, necessitating his leaving right away.

Hed met Kri the next day, and his life had been irrevocably changed in more ways than he could count.

It had taken him months to arrange a get-together with Zach and Eddie and introduce Kri to them.

Michael chuckled.

Hed fabricated a story about joining a secret government training program and meeting Kri there, but the truth wasnt that far removed from the lie. Hed joined the Guardian force as a trainee, hoping to one day become a Guardian like her.

Hed been told that it would take him decades to reach her level, and at the time, hed naively believed that hed do it faster, but four years later, he was still a trainee, and Kri was still light years ahead of him in her level of skill and ability.

Michael had learned to live with it. Hed realized that he didnt need to be better than she was or even as good. He just wished to be a full-fledged member of the force and get all the perks the position entailed.

Looking around at the immortal warriors who had become his best friends, he felt a twinge of nostalgia for his old, simpler life, but he wouldnt have traded his new one for anything.

You seem miles away, kid. Bhathian clapped him on the shoulder, jolting him back to the present.

Michael shrugged. I was thinking about the old times and about being a full-fledged Guardian. I always thought that Kri and I would get married after I got accepted, but the wedding cruise came up, and suddenly, she was talking about getting married on the ship, and I just went along with it. I couldnt say no.

Bhathian let out a low chuckle. Im married too, kid. The secret to a happy marriage is saying yes at least ten times for every no.

Smiling, Arwel leaned over Bhathians shoulder. You should have a relationship advice column on the clans virtual bulletin board.

Thats not a bad idea. Bhathian raised his glass in a salute. I might just do that.

Anandur snorted. Itll have to be a very short column. It will answer every question with, yes, dear.

Brundars lips lifted in a ghost of a smile, but as usual, he didnt say anything. Instead, he walked over and clapped Michael on his back, offering his silent support.

A toast. Onegus raised his glass and waited until everyone hushed. To Michael, who works harder than any other trainee in the history of the force.

The statement surprised Michael. Onegus had never praised his progress, and Michael had been under the impression that he was pretty average.

Thank you. He lifted his glass and clinked it with Oneguss.

You are welcome, but Im not done. Onegus kept his glass aloft. Ive been watching you, Michael. Youve done very well on the missions Ive sent you on, and your team leaders have had nothing but praise for you.

Hope rose in Michaels chest. Was Onegus praising him just because it was his bachelor party, or was he getting promoted?

Onegus reached into his pocket, pulled out a scroll tied with a red ribbon, and handed it to Michael. Welcome to the force, Michael.

The sudden eruption of cheers and applause from everyone was overwhelming. Bhathian slapped him on the back, Arwel smiled and clapped his hands, and then Yamanu enveloped him in his arms. Congratulations, little brother.

For a long moment, Michael was speechless. This was so unexpected that he suspected he was dreaming. He must have fallen asleep and dreamt about the bachelor party and the scroll clasped in his hand.

Can someone please pinch me?

Bhathians booming laugh was soon joined by four more, with Brundar the only one not laughing.

This is not a dream, Onegus said. Youve done so well on the test missions Ive sent you on that there was no point in delaying your acceptance. Youve earned it in record time like youve said you would from the very beginning.

Thank you, Michael managed to choke out. Ill make sure that you never regret the decision to grant me fully-fledged status after only four years of training. He swept his gaze over the smiling faces of his friends. I wont let any of you down.

Onegus nodded. We all know that you wont. Thats why you are holding this scroll. Otherwise, I would never have given it to you.