All Chapters of Guardians of the Stones. Earth-Air: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

There is an age-old legend about the four magical stones of the elements - stones that had limitless power, because all of the most powerful elements of the earth obeyed their will. Those who wielded these stones also wielded the most powerful weapon in the world, capable of changing the course of human history. Red like pulsating blood that runs through human veins, the ruby was able to wield the fearsome and terrifying power of fire. Shining like a crystal, the diamond, like a pure tear rolling down the cheek, could cause and quell the most terrible storms and whirlwinds because it was subject to the invisible power of the air. The hardest stones and the largest rocks, the boundless deserts, the sandstorms, and all the elements of the earth obeyed the enchanting power of the green emerald, glistening like the dewy grass of the morning. And the blue sapphire, as blue as the boundless blue of the sky, ruled over the irresistible element of water, which had the force to sw

Montserrat Monastery. Catalonia. Spain. A beautiful and sunny morning dawned. Looking at the blue sky, one could have predicted that another hot day at the beginning of summer was dawning although at this time of the year such weather was common. It would be much more surprising to look up in the morning and see dark, ominous clouds like evil shadows in the sky, foretelling rain and wind. Fortunately, it is the middle of May and the rainy season is still far away. This means the air temperature will rise with each passing day and soon every living creature will look up to the sky in the hope of seeing those dark harbingers of fresh rain. Montserrat Monastery has been bustling with life since dawn. After the daily morning service, the monks have been scurrying around the monastery‘s vast grounds like ants on a giant anthill. Although the monks are usually visited by travellers all year round, the beginning of the warm season is a different story. Millions of tourists from all over th

Khan al-Khalili Market is the largest not only in Cairo, but throughout Africa. It dates back to the 14th century and is set in narrow, covered streets. Today, Khan al-Khalili is a conglomeration of markets and shops, where you can buy everything from blankets of all sizes and colours and multi-coloured scented soap bars to the most precious stones and handmade jewellery of undoubted authenticity. Millions of people swarm here all day long. Everywhere you turn, you hear the calls of “Hey, madam, sir, come and see for free”, which are used by the vendors to lure tourists in for a profit. The traders in this market are probably some of the best salesmen and persuaders you will find in Africa. People are constantly amazed that you can buy anything your heart desires here and if one of the vendors doesn‘t have what you need, just wait a minute and he will find another shop that has the item you need. Not only in this market but in any Egyptian market, you can buy spices or herbs that you

It was lunchtime, and Kate and Geoffrey sat under a lemon tree and ate their sandwiches. Kate had told him about her desire to study in Paris, so Geoffrey was now going on and on about how he was going to visit her and they were going to travel all over France. “I think the choice is quite good. Plus, it's a very quick hop from France to the Netherlands. I hear it's perfectly legal to buy weed or other drugs there,” Geoffrey commented. “All you care about is flapdoodles,” Kate said while waving her hand. “Why not? We‘re young, and you have to try everything in life so you don‘t regret it later,” he replied. “I believe the person who said that phrase certainly did not mean that you should smoke weed in the Netherlands.” answered Kate. “Whatever. Don't be boring, you make me nervous.” Geoffrey glanced at his watch. “Oh, shit, gotta go. My group should be coming down now. I've got to meet them or I'll get in trouble. Shall we go?” He stood up and held out his hand to Kate. They left

Jake slowly opened his eyes. For a moment, he couldn't get his bearings and didn't understand where he was. Above him, he saw a dirty, once-white ceiling that was begging to be repainted, just like all the walls in his flat. Looking around, he realised that he was lying on the ground in his own home. Then he remembered standing in front of the mirror and the next moment he was unconscious. Taking his time, he stood up and looked at the clock on the wall. It had been a couple of hours since he was about to leave. Jake was a little scared. He had never been to a doctor in his life, because he had never had any health problems. He had always been as strong as an ox and had never taken any medication. He hadn’t even had a runny nose for about ten years. He could not understand what was happening. How could he faint just from standing in front of a mirror, as if nothing had happened. The situation was more than strange. But it was not only the fact that he had been unconscious for two hou