Chapter 4
Blackout
Any discomfort the Hero had felt as Hay Lin flew him threw the air quickly disappeared once he entered the Guild Cave. Although there was no place anymore that he called home, this cave was about as close as it got. He couldn't help but give a small smile as he straightened his jacket and went inside.
For the Guardians, it was their turn to be amazed. Although old and beaten, it was clear that the cave was at one time stunningly beautiful.
"Nice place." Hay Lin said, looking around.
"Is this your house?" Cornelia asked.
"No. It is simply a sanctuary of sorts." The hero replied, keeping a close eye on the girls. He wasn't sure he fully trusted them yet. Yes, they had saved his life, but their appearance shortly after that of the masked man's was too coincidental for his liking. He wasn't comfortable having them in the cave, but he could think of nowhere else to go.
"I like it." Irma said. "It has a nice, spooky vibe to it."
"It is called the Guild Cave." the Hero said, "Or more specifically, the chamber of fate."
"Is this where you keep all your cool weapons?" Hay Lin asked.
"In a way." The hero replied. "It is here that we can find our greatest weapons in this fight."
"Oh, sweet!" Irma said. "I bet it's a really big sword, or a hammer! That would be awesome!"
But the Hero did not retrieve any blade or firearm. Instead, he lit up a torch and revealed a seemingly endless bookshelf.
"Books." The hero said. "The largest collection in Albion. If we are to find out anything about our adversary, we will find it here."
"Finally, someone who understands the value of research." Taranee said with a smile.
"Um, yeah, here's the thing. I'm pretty sure I'm allergic to books, unless they're fashion magazines." Cornelia said. "So, I'm just going to step outside for some…"
"No." The hero interrupted. "Whoever our foe is, he seems to like the darkness. I was much more vulnerable after my long climb up, but he waited until night to attack. In here, we are safe, but anywhere outside these walls is dangerous. At least until morning."
"He's right Cornelia." Will said. "Come on, grab a book. It won't kill you. Probably."
And so, Cornelia, as well as the rest of the Guardians, changed back into human form and began to pick books off the wall. However, the Hero had noticed something. He had thought that his allies were women, experienced and trained in battle. In front of him, however, stood five girls, no older then 15 he guessed.
"You are… much younger then I first thought." he said.
"So?" Irma said.
"I did not expect that the people I would be fighting beside would be children."
"Children?" Hay Lin said.
"What are you saying?" Will said, suspiciously.
The Hero thought about it for a moment.
"Perhaps it would be best if, after we found out the identity of our foe, I fight him alone."
The girls stared at the Hero for a moment.
"What?" Irma said.
"Are you saying we can't handle ourselves?" Cornelia added.
"That we're too young?" Taranee added.
"Well, I think that…"
"We've saved worlds multiple times."
"Be that as it may…"
"You have no idea what we are capable of!"
"That's true, but…"
"Who are you to tell us we can't fight?"
"Look!" the Hero said, getting frustrated, "I will not be a babysitter while my world is in danger!"
The Hero quickly realized from the look in Irma's eyes that that was the wrong thing to say.
"Babysitter? Babysitter!" Irma yelled at the hero. "Why you ungrateful…!"
Cornelia and Taranee had to restrain Irma.
"I did not mean to insult any of you, I simply meant," The Hero began.
"We know what you meant." Will said. "You don't want to babysit us? Fine, then don't! But we're after the same guy, and if you do truly care about this world, you realize that you have a better chance of protecting it with us, then without us, so we might as well work together."
"I apologize if my comments were taken the wrong way, I never meant to insult any of you." The Hero said. "I am simply accustomed to working on my own, and chil… young women are outside my expertise. I do not want to have any of your blood on my hands."
"You won't." Said Will. "We know what we're getting into, and we're doing it of our own free will."
"Very well then. Let's get to work." The Hero said.
There was very little enthusiasm for this task from the girls, especially after the argument, with the exception of Taranee, who could think of nowhere she'd rather be then in the ancient library of another world. She, along with the Hero, browsed through book after book, searching for the identity of their foe. After a few hours of this, the rest of the girls began to doze off, catching up on some much needed sleep.
"Come on, Taranee," Irma said, waking up from a long nap, "even you have to sleep sometime."
"Irma, how can you sleep when you have the knowledge of the world around you!" Taranee replied.
"Very easily." Irma replied. "Now lie down before you miss the night all together."
"Oh, it's too late for that." The Hero said, glancing over at an hourglass he had placed on the corner of the desk. "It's morning now."
"Really?" Hay Lin said, snapping to attention. "Does that mean we can go outside?"
"Oh, please let us go out and play!" Irma said.
The Hero sighed and rubbed his head. It had been a while since he had kept company, and he was not used to it. What few friends he had were soldiers and warriors. Despite their appearances, it seemed that these 'women' were nothing more then girls.
"Yes, you may go outside now." The Hero said. "In fact, nothing would please me more."
"Well, we know when we're not wanted." Cornelia said.
"Alright, be nice." Will said. "We're going to explore the town. Let us know when you find something, alright?"
The Hero nodded, but didn't look up from his book.
"If it's alright, I'm going to stay here and keep reading." Taranee said. "But have fun."
"Suit yourself." Will said with a shrug.
The four girls walked out of the cave, leaving Taranee and the Hero inside working.
Will had to squint as the four girls entered the village square. She hadn't realized it, but they had spent the last 12 hours in darkness, and it took some time for her eyes to adjust to the bright morning sun. When she had, she took her first good look at Albion. There were no signs that this world was the source of the evil described to them by the Oracle. Hundreds of people went on their way, busy with their various tasks. Children ran between the girl's feet, in chase of a rouge chicken. A few of the villagers looked twice at the girls' outfits, but they were used to strange visitors, and didn't think much of it.
"This is the most powerful world in the universe?" Cornelia asked. "It's seems… nice."
"Yeah, I might retire here." Hay Lin said, inspecting some of the food vendors.
"Just because we can't see the evil, doesn't mean it's not there." Will said. "Keep your eyes open."
"Oh relax, Will." Irma said. "We're in a crowded square, in broad daylight. Nobody's going to try anything."
Will looked around once more at the peaceful town and decided Irma was right. Whoever that man was, he seemed to prefer to work in secret. There was no way he would risk attacking them in broad daylight.
Just as she was lowering her guard, she noticed a black smoke rising from the ground. She looked down and found herself standing in a pool of black liquid. She recognized it immediately as the liquid that surrounded the masked man that they had fought the night before. The liquid moved faster then Will had ever thought possible, and before she knew it, the liquid had covered her up to her neck. As it coated her ears, she could hear a voice in the distance.
"Hello again, Will." It said.
Will knew instantly who it was, and she panicked. She trashed around as the liquid climbed her face. The whole incident had taken only a couple seconds, and although every one in the village could see her being attacked, none of them had enough time to help her. In desperation, she did the only thing she could think of to save herself.
"Guardians unite!" she screamed.
And as the last of her was covered by the black liquid, a tiny flash of pink appeared as well. Then she disappeared in a puff of purple smoke.