AN: This story is about the Generation of Guardians that includes Mizu from my story Tsunami and can also be considered a kind of prequel to Tsunami. Therefore reading Tsunami before this might help you recognize characters but it is not essential to the story. This story is about the first ever generation of Guardians, meaning that no other generation came before it and all the others followed.
The First Guardians
Chapter One- The Jewel that is the Heart and its Keeper
A beautiful spring day sun was shining down on the city known by many as Rome, and the city seemed to be even more alive because of this. The marketplace was no different as it flowed with life. Merchants from various lands were showing their wares and all classes of people were there to purchase the exotic goods.
"Lady Amandela," a Roman centurion says to a young girl with long red hair and beautiful emerald eyes. Her strong athletic build was covered by a white dress that was the typical attire for Roman women. "You must hurry and finish. Your father will be home soon."
"You worry too much," the red haired young woman says as she looks at a booth filled with lavish jewelry.
"And you do not worry enough," the centurion says. He knew that Amandela's father would be upset if she was not home upon his arrival.
"Fine," Amandela says in an annoyed tone, "don't get your armor…" She is caught by surprise as she notices that time has stopped around her for everyone but her, but then she saw him. He too seemed to be unaffected by the sudden stop in time. He looked young and stared at the young maiden with gentle peaceful eyes. He was clothed in what Amandela could tell were the finest white robes she had ever seen. He smiled joyfully as he lightly bowed his bald head before time restarts and he disappears into the crowd.
"Is something wrong," the centurion asks placing a gentle hand on the woman's shoulder.
"No Adrian," Amandela says while trying to regain her composure, "but I believe that it is time we returned home."
"Very well," Adrian says as he walks Amandela home.
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She was running. She didn't know why or what she was running from, but she could hear whatever it was snarling behind her. She finally couldn't run anymore and stopped to catch her breath. She then heard it grow nearer to her, but she couldn't move. Her feet were being swallowed by the very ground in which she stood.
She could hear claws scratching into the earth as it drew itself closer to her. She shivered as her hand reaches up to grab something that should be around her neck but wasn't. She then saw its red eyes and clutched her hand tighter until a small warmth filled the palm. She pealed open her fingers to reveal a shimmering pink sphere. The beast closed its eyes and snarled in agony from the pain that the light brought, and soon the pink gem flooded the entire environment with its glow.
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Amandela sat up slowly in her bed. Beads of sweat glistened on her body in the moonlight. She calmly gets her breathing under control before she lets out a loud yawn and stretched her arms above her head. Then she feels something small land on her head. She winced as the small pain shot through her body. She rubbed her head as she opened her eyes to see a small pink sphere resting calmly in her lap.
"What in the name of Jupiter," Amandela screams as she sees the orb resting peacefully in-between her legs.
"Lady Amandela," Adrian yells slamming open the door to Amandela's chambers with his gladius drawn, "is something the matter."
"Yes," Amandela coldly says while holding the covers up to cover her naked body, "a five foot ten Roman centurion just burst into my room while I am not decent." She then removes her gaze from his upper body while blushing.
"Where is this rogue my lady," Adrian says not realizing she is referring to him.
"Beat it you idiot," Amandela screams throwing a pillow at the man. Adrian just then realizes that he is the person that Amandela is referring to and quickly leaves blushing. As soon as the doors close, Amandela returns her attention to the small pink orb. It shimmers in a feint pink light. The glow calms the maiden as she cups the orb in her hands and brings it to her chest before lying back down and drifting off into a peaceful sleep.
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"What was the yelling last night," Amandela's father angrily growls as the young red head leaves her room while placing the small pink jewel in her sash.
"I had a bad dream," Amandela says in a slightly submissive tone.
"You do not have time to dream," her father grumpily scolds while looking at her with cold eyes. He despised her and she knew it. He despised her because she was not the type of child he wanted, and her attempts to try to prove she was just as good as a son only made him angrier.
"I know," Amandela says calmly, "but…"
"No buts you worthless woman," her father screams while finishing putting his sandals on.
"I'm not worthless," Amandela angrily responds glaring at the man.
"Do not talk back to me," her father bellows as he storms over to her, "you are worthless until you produce me a grandson."
"I am not a slave of brothel maid," Amandela screams but then winces as the man raises a hand to strike her.
"You're going to be late for your senate meeting sir," Adrian says having overheard most of the proceedings.
"We'll finish this discussion later," her father says before exiting the house. Amandela breathes a sigh of relief at this as she opens her eyes.
"What got into you my lady," Adrian says while walking over to the red head and placing a caring hand on her shoulder. "You are usually so docile around your father."
"I don't know," Amandela says. Adrian had been with the family since Amandela was a toddler and has been there for her since her mother died.
"Okay," Adrian says calmly as Amandela wraps her arms around him, "then can you tell me about this dream of yours."
"My dream," Amandela says in surprise, "that's it."
"What are you talking about," Adrian asks as the young woman pulls away.
"This," she says pulling the small orb out of her sash, "in my dream this gem appeared in my hand and when I woke up it was in my hands."
"By the gods," Adrian says in surprise as the gem stone shimmers vibrantly.
"What do you think it is," Amandela asks as she places the jewel back in her sash.
"I'm unsure," Adrian says as he hurries over and begins to put hi sandals on, "but I know someone who might."
"Who is this someone," Amandela asks as she quickly puts her sandals on and follows Adrian out of the house.
"He's a temple priest," Adrian says calmly as the two enter the city.
"Himerish has chosen a child to stop us," a woman wearing a dark pink cloak says to a man next to her wearing a black cloak.
"So it would seem," the man says as he watches Amandela closely.
"We could kill her now," the woman says, "before she learns of her task."
"No," the man says, "we will see how this plays out."
"Very well, Mitsunari," the woman says in a disappointed tone.
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"Adrian," an elderly man says walking up to the two as they enter a massive temple that was beautifully decorated by a number of magnificent mosaics, "what brings you here my friend?"
"Actually Cassien," Adrian says as he places a friendly hand on the man's shoulder, "we need to show you something, preferably in private."
"We," Cassien questions as he finally notices Amandela's presence, "Lady Amandela you are here also."
"Yes sir," Amandela says with a polite bow.
"You are as beautiful as your mother," Cassien says walking over to the young girl and pulling her into a friendly embrace.
"Thanks," the young maiden says blushing as Cassien removes her from his hug.
"Come we can talk in my private chambers," Cassien says as he leads the two into an equally decorated side room.
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"Now what is it you wished to speak with me about?" Cassien asks as he takes a seat across from the two. He looks eagerly at Adrian for an answer.
"Actually," Adrian says motioning to Amandela, "it might be better if she explained."
"Well," Amandela gulps a little as all eyes shift to her, "last night I had this dream where I was being chased by some sort of monster."
"What kind of monster," Cassien asks stroking his white beard.
"I don't know," Amandela says, "I only saw its eyes."
"But that isn't all," Adrian says, "please finish my lady."
"Right," Amandela says calmly, "in my dream, right before the beast got me, a pink gem." She pulls the jewel out of her sash. "This gem appeared in my hand and saved me. Then I woke up and it was resting in my lap." She then holds the timidly shining pink orb in her palm so that all the room could see it.
"By the gods," Cassien says in shock, "may I hold it."
"Sure," Amandela approves as Cassien takes the small sphere from her hands, but as he does the jewel's glow increases and as it lets out a high pitched shriek before Cassien drops it in surprise. The three then watch as it rolls itself over to Amandela before resting next to the girl's leg.
"Do you know what it is," Adrian asks calmly.
"It is definitely something of incredible magical power," Cassien says running his hand through his beard once again, "and it seems to have chosen you, Amandela."
"Chosen me," Amandela says lifting up the orb and seeming to get lost in its glow, "but why?"
"Because the worlds need to be protected," a gentle voice says from behind her and knocks her out of her daze. She turns quickly and protectively covers the jewel to see the man she had seen in the marketplace.
"Who are you," Amandela asks.
"My name is Himerish," the man says, "I am the one who gave you the heart.
"The heart," Amandela says her gaze returning to the gem, "this thing is a heart?"
"Yes," Himerish responds, "it is known as the Heart of Candracar, and you are its keeper."
"Keeper," Amandela questions the term.
"The gem will only respond to you," Himerish says, "you are one of five that I have chosen to protect the worlds of magic from the forces of darkness."
"Five," Amandela asks in a confused tone. She didn't quite understand it but she trusted this man one hundred percent. "But there is only one of me."
"Then allow me to show you a basic ability," Himerish says, "the heart has the power to lead you in the direction of the other girls that I have chosen."
"Other girls," Amandela says in surprise. Why would a man choose women to protect these worlds of his? One she could have written off as a fluke, but five that couldn't have been a coincidence.
"Yes," Himerish says in a loving tone, "but I cannot give you a relief to your confusion."
"So then how do I find them," Amandela asks getting straight to the point.
"Simply ask the heart to lead the way," Himerish says before vanishing in a flash of light.
"Lady Amandela," Adrian asks placing a hand on the woman's shoulder, "is something wrong?"
"Are you saying that you didn't see him," Amandela asks turning back around.
"See who," Cassien asks looking around.
"Himerish," Amandela sighs remembering what happened the first time she saw the man.
"Who is Himerish," Adrian asks.
"The one that gave me the jewel," Amandela says holding up the heart, "he called it the Heart of Candracar. He also said that there are others like me."
"Where," Adrian again asks.
"He told me to ask the heart, and it will show me the way," Amandela says bringing the orb to her face and gives it a quick kiss. "So how about it heart, can you show me where the others are?"
At its keepers command the heart rises into the air while beginning to shimmer. Then, in a flash, five different colored beams of light fly from the orb. An emerald beam flies to the northwest, a ruby beam goes in the opposite direction and points to the southeast, a silver and a sapphire beam then fly to the east, and lastly a pink beam flies into Amandela's shoulder.
"What was that supposed to mean," Adrian asks as the heart returns to Amandela's hand.
"It was a sign," Cassien says getting up and walking over to the chest. He returns carrying a clear marble wrapped in silver and connected to a sturdy silver chain. "That Amandela is about to start a great journey." He hands the charm to Arian. "Could you get that marble out for me?"
"Of course," Adrian says with a confused look before ripping the clear jewel from its silver wrapping. "Why though?"
"It will be harder to lose such a powerful artifact," Cassien says, "if it is on a chain."
"I get it," Amandela says taking the piece of silver wrapping and after awhile places the pink jewel inside. Within seconds the gem seems to fix what distortion was in silver and appeared to fuse with the silver and makes the wrapping a part of itself. Amandela then places the chain around her neck so that the pendant rests on her chest. "You said something about a journey?"
"Yes," Cassien says, "a journey to find these other chosen ones, and it would be good to start as soon as possible."
"Okay," Amandela says standing and leaving the room, "guess I should get my stuff ready then."
"Thank you for your help my friend," Adrian says standing.
"You're welcome," Cassien says, "but Adrian, she must do this by herself. You cannot accompany her on her quest."
"I understand," Adrian says leaving.
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"Okay," Amandela says walking out of her room wearing a brown bag across her shoulder. "Where's your stuff?"
"Amandela," Adrian says placing a loving hand on the girl's shoulder for what he knew would be the last time, "I'm not going with you on this journey."
"What," Amandela asks in a confused tone as tears well up in her eyes.
"Cassien said that you must do this on your own," Adrian says as he pulls a bundle of clothes out from behind his back.
"What is that," Amandela asks.
"It is an outfit I wore while I was training in the army," Adrian says calmly, "it is a gift and will be a lot more comfortable to travel in than a dress." Adrian gets no verbal response as the red haired beauty wraps her arms around him in a happy hug.
"I'll go change," Amandela says taking the bundle.
"Be quick," Adrian says as the girl returns to her room, "I have one last gift for you before I see you off."
"Okay," Amandela says from her room. Then after about six minutes the girl exits into the main room of the house where Adrian is waiting. The outfit was a tunic that was a little baggy, probably because it was meant for a teenage boy, but she was able to make it work along with the equally baggy pair of pants. She had purposefully ruffled her red hair so that she looked a little more like a boy, but the shimmering pink jewel that rested lightly above her already well developed bosom gave that attempt away.
"So what do you want to give me," she asks with a blush and a childish grin.
"This," Adrian says removing the belt that his gladius is attached to and wraps it around the girl's waist, "it may be a little heavy for you at first but it'll be great for protection."
"Thanks Adrian," Amandela says wrapping her arms around the man's neck once again, "it's times like this that I wish that you were my father."
"It would be an honor to be such a person," Adrian says, "but in a way I am. I've been watching over you since you started to walk." He could feel the girl's tears dropping on his shoulder.
"I'll miss you," Amandela says as the two break their embrace tears still streaming down her cheeks from her vibrant emerald eyes.
"I'm sure you will," Adrian says wiping away the girl's tears, "but you must be strong. You will be fine as long as you listen to what your heart has to say. Both of them."
"Okay," Amandela says as she again adorns her smile and the two walk out of the house and into the courtyard. "But which way should I go first."
"My advice would be to go north first," Adrian says looking at the girl, "as it lies the farthest from the others, and do not worry about your father. I'll cover for you."
"Thanks Adrian," Amandela says, "for everything."
"Just go out there," Adrian says with pride in his voice for having help raised the girl that was now leaving, "and make me proud."
"I will," Amandela says as she walks north and waves back at Adrian.
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"Where is that worthless woman," Amandela's father screams waking a peacefully sleeping Adrian.
"Is she not in her room sir," Adrian asks as her gathers himself.
"No, that little whelp isn't," the man angrily bellows, "do you know where she is."
"No sir," Adrian says, "she must have snuck out while I slept. I will look for her immediately."
"No," the man says, "that's what bounty hunters are for." Adrian gulps slightly at this before looking into the sky to see a ruby, sapphire, and silver beam of light cross the sky to tell him that Amandela was checking her directions.