Hope Shard

In the town of Little Rock, we hear rumors of the Guardian of Hope being trapped in the ABBYS. It's a mysterious dungeon that can only be exited via a teleporter on the tenth level below the surface. The villagers even tell us where to find the dungeon. So we get back on Lombardia, and fly to it.

The ABBYS is located on an unlandable terrain. We blow up a rock blocking the path with one of Lombardia's missiles, and begin to cross it on foot. Near the end of the road, we see what appears to be a gigantic mirror. Upon touching it, we find ourselves inside some sort of void.

Wasting no time, the four of us begin to descend through the levels by collecting blue gems that restore both the VIT and ECN gauges. Once five are in our possession, the teleporter opens that will send us to the next level. For ten grueling levels we do this, until we're ambushed at the device.

The monster has an odd way of fighting. Much like Leehalt did at Nidhogg Pass, he never attacks us directly. Instead, he just counters each of our hits. But instead of copying the damage done, he hits us all with a powerful light attack for every hit we give. Luckily, we managed to acquire a bunch of Light Rings at the Glimmering Emblem. So no one is getting hurt at all.

Soon, he explodes. Where he once stood, I find a small statue that is in the shape of a Dragon. *Raftina, I think this might be it. The Dragon Idol, prison that holds the Guardian of Hope.*

*You are correct,* she replies, *That is undoubtedly Zephyr inside of there. We must bring him back to the Fallen Sanctuary at once. Then, all four of us will be in your possession. This is the best hope the world has for the future, the union of the High Guardians in once place once more.*


*Nice pun Raftina. You should really consider getting into comedy. I can see it now, the lovely Raftina, now playing at the Fallen Sanctuary, next stop Lunatic Garden,* jokes Moor Gault.

She mutters, *Someone should have really clipped his wings a long time ago to teach him a lesson. And I'm in no position to dole out punishment. Not while trapped in a Medium.*

I shushed the two of them so we could get back. The four of us used the secret exit that could be found inside of the teleporter to head back to the surface level. Once there, we exited and teleported back to Baskar, where, you guessed it, we rode the horses back to the Fallen Sanctuary.

* * *

After arriving, we went to the final pillar, the one to the southwest. There, I held up the Dragon Idol. The four of us watched as the Guardian of Hope began to take form. *Shaman, if you wish for my help, prove to me that you're worthy. For although hope burns brightly in your heart, a hope for the future of Filgaia, it will not be enough to cope with the demons' plans to transform the planet. You will also need strength of both the heart and body if you wish to win this fight. So come at me now.*

We charge. He's another pretty slick Guardian. I watch as he uses his ability to turn one of us into a living bomb on Clive. We can't do anything as all his VIT is transformed into a spectacular burst of energy, that knocks the four of us down. I Mystic a Potion Berry, Jet Revives Clive, and Gallows then gives the sniper another Potion Berry, as he couldn't get the effects of my healing.

*Well met, Shaman,* Zephyr booms, *You and your friends found a way to restore your power after my trap was sprung, by working together. But can you stand up to this one?* With that, he uses his Phantasmic Heart attack, the most powerful spell in his arsenal. We're barely alive after that.

As if by luck, I'd managed to find a Mega Berry not to long ago, just lying in a ditch in Little Rock. So I hold it up, and Mystic it to restore us to full strength once more. The others continue their furious attacks against the Guardian, and I join in once we're all in safe levels once again.

Soon, I see his life force has begun to diminish. Zephyr kneels on the ground, like the other defeated High Guardians before him. I can see him staring right at Jet, knowing what must be done.

*Boy, you are the hope for the future. I don't know how or why, but your entire existence is what will save our planet from harm. Take my powers along with you, and always fight with the power of hope in your heart as well,* Zephyr says. With that, he becomes a Medium and goes to Jet. Both Moor Gault and Stare Roe also turn to gold. Finally, our mission to transform the Mediums has ended.

But Jet is just staring into space, probably thinking about what Zephyr had said to him. Clive, ever the scientist, asks him, "Jet, what did the Guardian say to you. Since Virginia, Gallows, and myself all received messages from the High Guardians, I'm sure that Zephyr gave one to you."


Jet turned around to face him. "He told me that I was the hope for the future of the world. That my existence was what will save Filgaia from the Prophets and Sigfried. But I don't understand, what does that have to do with it? How can one human being be able to rescue an entire planet just for being who they are? Darn it! Who in the heck am I anyway?" He hit the pillar, and his hand bled.

I walk over to him, looking at the terror on his face. The poor boy is really scared this time. I crush a Heal Berry, and begin applying the juice to his hand, hoping to stop the bleeding before it gets too bad, he looses too much blood, and/or it gets infected and we've got a worse problem on our hands.

"Don't worry," I tell him, "Whoever you turn out to be Jet, I'll always be standing besides you. I'm your friend, and I'm not going to leave you for some stupid reason." I smile at him.

"Whatever. Do what you want Virginia. Not like it concerns me in any way," he replies.

I know he's just running scared. Poor Jet, he really needs someone who'll care about him. I guess once he finds out the truth, he'll be able to see exactly how much he needs his friends.

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

Finally, the Guardians are over. Getting on with the story.