Four Elements

They arrived at the Fallen Sanctuary later on that afternoon, all hot from their journey. Virginia got out her water canteen, and began to drink. She then shared some of the contents with Jet, who'd finished up what was in his. Gallows had himself a small flask of liqueur, and Clive also had water. Jet wanted to know how this guy was going to stay alive with beer in his canteen. He didn't seem to be very bright, as his grandmother had told the others. The old lady was really smart, after all she had defined Virginia's dream.

Inside, Gallows led them to the top of a stairwell. "Here is where the shrines to the four Guardians of the Elements lie. As well as the ones dedicated to the High Guardians. We must release the four Ark Scepters now, but I don't know how to do it. Darn it! Maybe I should have paid attention when Granny was telling me how, just didn't think I'd ever need to know that information." Then, the other three facefaulted.

"Well, let me see them," Virginia stated, "I'm usually quite good with magical artifacts when we find them on our journey." It was partially true, but she didn't say that the artifacts in question were inside of her body, or turned into a gun for her partner. For she could feel the energy from the actual sword that made up Airget-lamh, as well as sense the power of the Dist Dims inside of her. Partially, that was because she was a Shaman by birth. The other half of that was because she had added powers from her five year recovery in the Leyline Observatory. Her wings and the combination attacks with Jet seemed to be only the tip of the iceberg to put it figuratively. There were probably other powers hiding deep within the soul of the young girl.

She picked up the Ark Scepters, and held them into the air. Suddenly, a great energy rose up from them, and they began to glow. The girl handed each man one, and they all rose up into the sky. The four Guardians heeded the command, and began to wake. Then, the energy from the Scepters returned to the team, inside of their bodies. Virginia felt sick, as if she didn't have enough power riding inside of her body.

*A great power has awakened us, my brethren. I feel Filgaia calling to me, telling me to go with the four Drifters that are here with us now. Let us forsake the usual test we must give our callers, and go with them right away,* a voice from the north stated. They all looked up, and saw a large turtle coming out of the monolith behind him. The same happened to a Phoenix in the south, Tiger in the west, and a Dragon in the east. Each Drifter felt a new power filling them up. Schturdark, the Water Guardian, went to Virginia. The Earth Guardian, Grudiev, flew over to Gallows. Jet claimed Moor Gault, the Fire Guardian. And Clive found himself with the Wind Guardian, Fengalon. The four Drifters Invoked the Mediums right away, feeling the power that flowed within them. Each felt stronger, but that strength seemed to be sealed. Maybe Halle had an ability to unlock the powers that were beginning to gather inside of the four, after all the more the better.

* * *

When they got back, they reported to Halle instantly. She said, "So you've gotten the power of the Guardians. And you didn't even have to fight them. That's quite strange, something big must be going on if they are ignoring the usual process. But that is better for you. Young Drifters, now here is the added bonus of using a real Medium. Not only do you have Arcana, but you will be able to Summon the Guardians into this world to attack your enemies. In addition, once I release the power, you will have Personal Skills and a boost in status. The Personal Skills will allow you to have different bonuses, mattering what Gears you give to the Guardians, their natural Personal Skills, and which ones you decide to equip with your points." She held her hands out, and picked up the Mediums. Then, while holding them in her right hand, she passed her left hand over them. Their hidden powers were unlocked, and Halle handed each one their Medium back.

Virginia looked to the others. "Well, we got the Mediums. But Halle, could you explain what Shane exactly saw in his dream? Maybe it coincides with the one I had about the Demons five years ago." She held her hand to her neck, as if to brace herself for the shock. In reality, though, she was only trying to hold the Key necklace, given to her by Filgaia the Planet Guardian. It came to her while she dreamed, and she knew of the symbolism of a Guardian's charm. And the one that the Planet Guardian gave would hold the most honor. Imagine what other Shamans would say if they knew this girl had been chosen by the Planet.

"Here's what I saw," Shane told the others, "I saw a great big blue figure, I call him the Blue Menace because of that, and he was holding a giant spear in his hands. Energy burst forth from the spear, and fried a whole town. The monster did it over and over again, even though the town was torched. Then, I saw four blurred figures, holding their ARMs out and preparing to do battle with this wicked man. He's got to be a Demon of some sorts, he was just too scary to be human." The boy began to shiver, scared of the beast who did so many cruel things in his dreams. He hoped these four would be able to do something about it.

"Blue and tall! That's the Demon those other three were summoning in my dream five years ago! It has got to be the same one, there's no doubt about it. We've got to find them, if Shane's tapped into the power of the Guardians to see what is harming our beloved Filgaia, no doubt the Planet Guardian herself has seen his mind. And she's trying to warn Shane like she warned me five years ago," Virginia then called out.

Gallows exclaimed, "The Planet Guardian contacted you! Are you pulling my leg miss? If she's involved in the situation, there's bound to be trouble. For she's never seen active battle before that I know of. Or did I just miss that part of the lesson, Granny?" He scratched his head, plainly confused at all of this.

Halle shook her head. "No, Filgaia has never actually taken part in any battles. She is said to only contact those with a tie to the planet if the danger is on a massive scale. There are no records of her even taking part in the Second or First Demon Wars, at least no recorded dreams. She wouldn't be able to fight, as she's got to keep the planet secure. Her sending dreams is truly a sign of the harshness ahead of you."

"Well, I at least am not giving up," stated Virginia, "I think we should head on out to the next town, which will be Jolly Roger. We can think up a plan there, or find out about where to go next. After all, they say that Jolly Roger is the Rumor Capital of Filgaia. If any Demon activity is around, they'll know about it."

- - - -

Teefa's Last Word…

To set the records straight, I don't hate Gallows. He's just so fun to pick on, since he's a ladies man, and always getting into arguments. Since Halle is willing to hit him, you always can rely on a humor scene between the two of them. He's a tank at least, well with the right Mediums equipped. He's got naturally high HP, and the Mediums I gave him made him go well over the person with the second most HP (Jet). Poor Ginny and Clive were way behind, however, since I was concentrating on Clive's speed and Virginia's abilities with certain PS and Magic. Good example, Raftina. Well, you know who she's in love with. I could se a Rudy and Cecilia like scene happening between the two of them. The infamous dream scene, where I was happy because I got to fight a boss with only my female lead. I've got a thing for having the girls kicking the enemies' butts.