Disclaimer:
(I turn to see Taichi and Yamato, and Takeru and Daisuke arguing with each other about something or another)Ani
: (shouts to them) You know if you don't do your job, I'm going to have to fire you!(they still continue to argue)
Ani
: (sweatdrops) (sighs) I give up! I'll just do it myself. Digimon does not belong to me. Of course you already knew that. It belongs to all those hot shots in Japan and United States. This story is just written to divulge my so-called 'creative side' and to bring pleasure to the readers.Dedication: This story most definitely is dedicated for lyra. I can't believe you like my saga! (sobs) Domo arigato lyra-san!
A/N: Well obviously this is the third part to my saga. Yes, I know this is boring and not one of my best works, but I'm leading up to the fighting scenes which is going to be introduced in the part. So please bear with me.
Oh and to the people who really do enjoy reading 'The Guardians to Arlista', I am *positive* that the next part will take extra long to put up. Not only because battle scenes are hard to write, it is the simple fact that I want to finish some unfinished fics, starting with this Michi that is so close to being finished. Nevertheless, the saga *will* live on! ^ ^;
Plus, 'Karian' means 'God' during the whole saga. Arigato.
The Guardians of Arlista
Unveiling of Secrets
The Guardian of Fire walked through past wall after wall adorned with tapestries of all sorts. Vibrant colours shone from the cloth itself as small delicate stitches told a story all it's own.
However today, the usually cheery Guardian had grown rather sullen as he moved through the twisting hallways without the spring in his step he usually possessed. Deep brown eyes reflected back walled up worry and anxiety as he let his body take him to his destination.
Feeling a little self-conscious, he slipped on the hood of his maroon-coloured cloak, as he went over plan over plan in his head, trying to get the upper advantage on the unknown enemy.
Something in Ocena's eyes is telling me this is an enemy unlike any of us have fought before… he mused silently. After all, almost all the disputes we have settled before were of territorial disagreements between kingdoms. I just pray to Karian that the other Guardians and I are prepared for this
.= ~ * ~ = ~ * ~ = ~ * ~ =
A girl adorned with a silver hooded cloak gave the figure before her a critical eye. The girl paused for dramatic effect as the girl before her anxiously waited for her approval. However, she was known to be quite mischievous at times so she turned to on of the other inhabitants of the room. With a touch of a teasing smile she inquired, "So Sora, what do you think?"
The youth who was seated on the bed looked up surprised as she randomly shuffled some study scrolls before her.
" I… uh, well I think that, um, it looks rather nice." Sora stammered, afraid to hurt the feelings of the girl who was modeling a rather extravagant dress, complete with scrolling laces and dainty ruffles.
The maiden who was looking on both of her friends with apprehensive eyes burst into laughter as the two hooded figures shared a 'what am I missing?' look.
" You two should most definitely lighten up! I know this dress is a bit too tacky. You should have known I wouldn't taken it so personally!" The girl before them chastised them as her hazel eyes sparkled with laughter.
Sora, being a rather serious youth, rolled her eyes good-naturedly and returned to her study scrolls, her eyebrows knitted in concentration.
The other, rather, joined in the laughter as she said between fits of giggles. " I knew… I'd find… a friend in… you Mimi!!"
"You said it Hikari," Mimi replied blithely as she tugged on the peach-coloured sleeve of Sora's cloak. " Oh come on Sora! Join the celebration!"
As Sora opened her mouth to answer the wooden door before them slammed open as a figure stepped out of the torch-lit hallway.
All three fell silent and ceased what they had been preoccupied in as the figure, adorned in a maroon cloak, features behind the shadows of the cloak announced quietly.
" Guardians, it is time to meet. The others are waiting."
And with that said he went out as quickly as he had entered leaving behind a shocked group of girls.
" Looks like we have to save the kingdom again," Mimi mumbled a tad annoyed as she grabbed a pale pink cloak that lay nearby. In less than a second, she had put it on and whisked out, right behind the maroon-cloaked figure.
Hikari on the other hand had gotten rather hushed as her sepia eyes filled with worry.
He is so changed… so sullen… so unlike him. I wonder if he's all right
.Sora as if she read Hikari's thoughts, laid a hand gently on the younger girl's shoulder and gave a look of reassurance.
"You know he can take care of himself Hikari."
The other heaved a sigh. " I know Sora… but that doesn't mean that I don't worry about him."
Not wanting to dwell on the subject any further, Hikari quickly eased her way out of Sora's gentle grip and walked through the door as Sora was left to wonder.
Secrets… Too many secrets…
With that though echoing through out her mind, she hurried out the door, not wanting to be the last person to arrive at the meeting.
= ~ * ~ = ~ * ~ = ~ * ~ =
The maroon cloaked boy quickly made his way through the hallway, knowing vaguely that Hikari was having a bit of trouble keeping up to him.
Before that fact had made its impact he stopped before a wooden door much like the other doors in the castle. But this one was gilded with gold as intricate spirals of ribbons and carved vines of ivy.
Without a minute too lose, the boy gently pushed the door open revealing four teenage boys sitting in any random place.
A youth adorned with a forest green cloak, commented sarcastically.
"Glad you can make it Taichi."
Taichi shot a death glare at the boy who was leaning against the stone wall, arms crossed, in his rather classic position.
"And I see you haven't lost your dry wit Yamato."
Yamato answered with small smile at that comment and before the two could share any other "small" exchanges, a boy in a deep blue cloak commented rather impatiently.
"Come on you two! Give it a rest. Besides, I know there is a bigger issue on hand."
"Jyou is right. What did you want to tell us anyway Taichi," an auburn-headed boy asked rather calmly, as he willed himself away on a theory he had been testing.
Taichi waited until all Sora, the last one, had entered the room. He closed the door tightly and paused for a second, to the naked eye that is. The Guardians could see that he was casting a spell, obviously for any interlopers' ears to not set upon the words spoken in that room.
Taichi turned toward his little audience and saw seven pairs of expectant eyes on him. A blonde-haired boy donning a golden cloak asked a bit somberly, " Who is the enemy we must fight, Guardian of Fire?"
Expect Takeru to use such formalities
. The thought appeared in Taichi's head unexpectedly. As he saw the others waiting somewhat patiently, his mind wandered to issue on hand. The new enemy; his once brilliant deep brown eyes was now filled with a deep worry as he replayed the conversation spoken between Sorceress Ocena and King Alexander to the other Guardians.As soon as he was finished talking, he tugged at the end of his hood, as if almost trying to hide his features, more fully. The other occupants of the room almost seemed as if they were frozen in time, contemplating their reaction to the whole story.
Mimi, who was currently running her fingers through her loose honey-coloured hair, was the first one to break out of this unnatural pause. Almost hesitantly, she laid a slender hand upon the shoulder of the unusually silent maroon-cloaked boy, and turned toward the rest of the guardians, her friends.
" I know that this enemy is something that we've never encountered before, from what I have heard, but we can't lose faith, not now, not after we've successfully protected Arlista and all its inhabitants for so long."
Takeru, the Guardian of Hope, seemed as if he was awaken from a deep trance as his head shot up, his eyes wide. It was as if what Mimi had said hit home. As the others looked at him unmasked curiosity, he smiled apologetically at them.
"All this time, it's as if I've been looking at all our enemies from outside of this protective shield, that I was fighting them without a purpose, but now I see. That I have a purpose in our battles, and that I am part of this team."
Needless to say, the others looked at him again rather strangely, but now a look of astonishment on their face rather than one of curiosity. Takeru, had always been the most childlike and innocent Guardian, and now him, this introspective, pretty much left them more than surprised.
Hikari suddenly spoke up as well, strength gathering in her voice.
"I don't know about everyone else here, but I know that I am going to fight him. If it'll protect the people of Arlista and many others, I'll gladly risk my life."
Soon after the auburn-haired boy, wrapped up in a brilliant violet cloak added in his consent. Everyone knew that though Koushiro could become quite preoccupied in his research of all the things that made life interesting, and sometimes can really get wrapped up in his work. But whenever a friend is in need, he'll be there in a nanosecond, helping anyway he can. In a way, Koushiro is the 'intellectual' in the group, even though the others were very intelligent, in their own area, Koushiro had a passion for knowledge, and everyone that had met him knew that.
"But," Koushiro added quickly, " I believe that we should know more about what we are dealing with before we actually attempt to fight whoever he or she is."
"I second that," Jyou called out rather calmly. I guess that is one of the reasons he's the Guardian of Reliability. You can always count on Jyou to be there, no matter the cost.
"You know I'm all for caution and everything, but if- " Sora hesitated as if afraid to continue on. "What if we're too late? For all we know, this person may be a step ahead of us, maybe even more. If he is as good as you say he is Taichi, he might be able to anticipate our move, maybe even before we make them. "
All Taichi did was incline his hooded head slightly in her direction, as if signaling that he has heard her. Seeing that Taichi was not going to make any verbal answer, Yamato intervened, his eyes fixated at a spot in the rafters.
"No matter how much we discuss this, we know, even though we're not willing to admit it, that we are going to fight whoever this person is… and we're going to handle him together, like we have done with every other enemy we have fought. In my perspective, we have the clear advantage because of our experience in working together to solve a problem, so instead of moping around for our own reason, we should figure out a way to use this advantage!"
After the Guardian of Friendship had spoken, almost an unspoken pact was made between the Guardians.
We'll fight together until the end
.= ~ * ~ = ~ * ~ = ~ * ~ =
Light grey eyes flew wide open, as a strong presence made itself known in its mind.
It's coming
... Ocena thought grimly and with another unnerving pause that lasted a moment longer, the young woman concluded. It's here."Sorceress Oceana, are you quite all right?" the Queen asked in her soft voice that was most definitely laced with worry.
Oceana turned toward the King and Queen, unable to hide the fear in her eyes. She lowered her eyes just as quickly as she closed her eyes, trying to regain some stability.
"Yes, your highness, but I'm afraid that what we all have been fearing has made its presence known…" she trailed off, unable to finish her sentence. The situation was dire, and she knew that, but something was almost warning her about a future cast with shadow, a place where the good virtues a being possesses is nothing more than simple tatters.
"You mean it's here… already?" the King voice pierced through Oceana's thoughts visibly surprised. " Well, what are you waiting for Sorceress? Go ahead and contact the Guardians."
Oceana bowed politely as she mumbled an answer and concentrated on a call to the Guardians.
~~ Guardians it is time… The enemy is here. You are needed. ~~
The tension blanketed the three inhabitants of the room as Oceana anxiously sent the message and when a maniacal laugh faintly sounded around them, brought in by an unusual bitter draft. Nobody could suppress a shudder that ran through their bodies, as they unwillingly envisioned the owner of that laughter as they silently dreaded the encounter that was bound to happen.
To Be Continued in:
The Guardians of Arlista- A Warrior's Dying Breath