Love & Desire

The team headed out from Vensnia, towards the town of Lovelia. It lay far north of Mariel's home, and just east of Rigdobrite's crater, on an island. Lovelia was often called the town of romance. Since the team hadn't gone there yet, they wondered if they might find information on a new Demon's hideout. But once they arrived, things stopped going according to the plan, and the trouble began.

A crowd separated the team in the central marketplace. Sasha found herself and Jacob had ended up together, but Sierra, Lyle, and Kyoku were missing. Jacob was, as usual, a tad freaked out, and began to mutter and worry. His companion, however, was getting pretty frustrated with his actions.

"Honestly Jacob," Sasha began, "We're never going to find anyone by standing around and making the situation much worse than it really is. You're complaining isn't helping one little bit. Let's get going, if we search around town, we'll eventually find out where they went." She began walking, well aware that her heart was skipping a beat. Was it love, or could it just be a trick of the mind? Even if it was love, Sasha surely couldn't tell him how she felt, she wasn't very open with her feelings. It came from being royalty, and having people who didn't see the real her all around her for her entire life.

'How can she be so cold? I guess she has a reason. I am always complaining about things. After all, I'm just a failure. My brother is so much better than me, Father always loved him more too. If only I was as strong as Marco, then maybe I could be of more help to the others. I desire nothing more than to prove myself to them, and to all those who never even tried to help me learn my powers and heritage, thinking that Marco would be all they need. I mean, what if he's attacked while I'm away, and killed? Then what do they do, they'll have a priest that they can't rely on to lead them. I'm a total failure,' thought Jacob.

Unbeknownst to them, the Goddess and Wolf Idols were glowing. Love and Desire were beginning to grow, and it wouldn't be long before these two great Guardians were free from their prisons. But a push was needed to complete the transformation. Sasha had to admit her feelings for Jacob, and Jacob had to make his desires known. Now all that remained was giving them that little push.

As luck would have it, a monster was attracted towards the light of the Guardians. He followed the two from the shadows, until they arrived at a deserted street near the back of town. Then, he struck out at the sorcerers. It appeared to be a sort of lizard, on all fours, with ugly black spikes going down his back. Red eyes were on his face, and his skin was a sort of greenish color. And he looked hungry.

The creature said, "Foolish humans, give me the Guardians. Their powers will grant me all I ever wanted in life. You have no need of such powerful beings, so you might as well just hand them over. Else I will have to kill you." His voice sounded raspy, and his s's seemed to go on forever.

Sasha picked up her wand and pointed it at the monster. "Never! We will never let a monster such as yourself have the Guardians' power. You've just earned the enmity of two people whose tribes have worshiped these entities for thousands of years. We are their protectors, and will fight to the death if we have need to in order to keep them out of the wicked hands of Demons such as yourself."

Jacob realized this was his chance to prove himself. He felt his desire growing, as he charged at the monster. Then, he cast the Lightnin spell on the enemy. As these monsters were weak to Lightning, he was greatly wounded. But he was not down yet, and struck out at Jacob with all of his fury. The young priest couldn't dodge in time, and was knocked backwards, greatly wounded by the attack.

"Jacob!" screamed Sasha, "You're dead now, you Demon! Nobody does that to the one that Sasha Vanderbuilt III loves!" She then cast the High Spark spell, in order to give him a greater wound.

Suddenly, the glow of the Guardian Idols got brighter, and they shattered. Sasha could see the image of a winged woman descend before her. She had blond hair and blue eyes, and wore red armor over a white dress. Jacob spied a purple and red werewolf standing off to his right. They knew at once that these two had to be Raftina, Guardian of Love, and Luceid, Guardian of Desire.

*You have found the love in your heart, after searching for so long. Take my powers, descendant of my former callers. Always fight for what you believe in, no matter what others might say to the contrary. And never lose that light in your heart that love has given to you,* said Raftina. She then transformed into a Medium, and landed in the princess's outstretched palm. Sasha Invoked her instantly.

Luceid stated, *A strong desire burns within you. It longs to fight against these creatures, to prove your worth to this world. Such a different once from those who have called on me before, although still tuned towards the battlefield. If you follow your desires, you will eventually find what you are looking for." Then, she too became a Medium, and Jacob Invoked her as well.

The monster was shocked. "How can this be?! Mere humans calling forth the most powerful of all the Guardians?! Surely they can't be that strong with those frail bodies of theirs."

"You're wrong!" exclaimed Sasha, "Humans are indeed strong! We just have a different kind of power and strength than monsters. You will die, right now."

"Our power comes from within, rather than outside of us. Appearances can be deceiving. I never believed I could be so strong, not until I started to fight, but now I know my own power. Never again will I doubt myself, or my friends," Jacob added.

The two began to charge up their magic. Jacob's Plasma Tap and Sasha's Hi-Spark collided with the monster at once, and fried him to a crisp. They smiled at one another.

Jacob whispered, "I never knew you cared about me like that. I thought you hated me."

Sasha shook her head. "No, I was always just worried. My ancestor was the same way, he never could tell the girl he loved how he really felt because of his pride and his gruff way of speaking. Now let's go find the others, they're probably really worried about the two of us by now."

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

Well, get them out of the way, and then we can get on with the story. Two a chapter, by having the people divide into groups and meet a challenge of some sorts. Then they unleash the Guardians with their emotions.