Energy of a Guardian

After returning Claudia to the saloon, the group headed south. It wasn't long before Virginia began to feel a strong sensation run through her. From her experience, it was a Guardian's energy. But there was something wrong, the energy was calling out frantically, as if in danger. She had no idea how a Guardian could be in danger, but she knew they had to do something. So Virginia made Hikari run towards the area where she'd felt the energy. Everyone else didn't know what was going on, but they followed her anyway.

They soon found a shrine, dedicated to the Guardian of Darkness, Celsidue. By now they could all clearly feel the energy of the Guardian. Luckily, no one asked Virginia if she'd felt it before, and that's why she ran off like that. The woman didn't think she needed a long explanation to this one. Jet could tell what had happened though, he knew she had strong senses towards nature and the Guardians very often. If a Guardian seemed to be nearby, she would talk about how she could sense it. She'd even felt one near the ruin they'd met Pike in, but they hadn't investigated. Virginia didn't want to profane a Guardian's Shrine.

Their travels were long and hard, but at last they came to a mysterious garden growing on the outer area of the shrine. It amazed them at how green it could be when the area around this place was scorched desert. They all knew it had to be the Guardian's work, only one of them would have the power to sustain it.

In that garden, they took a small rest. Virginia looked towards Jet, and smiled. "Hey, do you think it's much further in? I wonder what the Dark Guardian looks like. They say she's undergone many name changes and appearance changes over the years." Luckily, Gallows and Clive didn't hear what she'd said.

"How am I to know?" Jet asked her, "I've never seen a Guardian before this journey, and the only ones I've seen are the four Elementals. You, however, have all the stories your mom used to tell you, as well as speaking to Filgaia in dreams. Have another recently? I notice you get more chatty after one."

"Yes, she told us to continue onwards, and embrace the truth with an open mind. I'm starting to have a bad feeling about the future, and I bet she's comforting me so I'm no longer afraid. She doesn't need her avatar to just cut and run. Not that I'd have done that any away, I'm dedicated to this cause. I think we should move on soon, we don't want to keep the Guardian waiting much longer," Virginia told her friend.

* * *

They did, however wait a little bit longer to get moving. Mainly because Gallows had fallen asleep in the garden, and Virginia had to throw a crate on him to wake him up. Halle had given her a list of ways to achieve this daunting task while they were in Baskar. Crate wasn't on there, but they didn't have a walking stick to smack him with. Once that was done, they headed towards the final area of the Guardian Shrine.

There, they found a blond man with pale blue eyes standing in front of the Guardian's alter. He was in clothes just like the woman in the previous area. And it appeared as if he was draining the energy off of Celsidue. That angered Virginia more than anything. Janus stood off to one side, not interested in fighting the others. He did tell the man, "Hey, you've got some company. I'd entertain them, but my powers aren't in sync with my body yet. I guess you can fight them off, you're a Demon not some weakling human."

The man turned around. "So, you must be the four Drifers who tried to interfere with our plans in the Unclean Mark. I have to thank you, sarcastically of course, I was the one who had to listen to the wrath of our very annoying female accomplice. She was mad because you didn't recognize her beauty, and when that happens she takes her frustrations out on me. Just try to stop me, you won't be able to hit me with the speeds I can achieve. And if you can't hit, then there's no way you will be able to win. Now, die you fools."

But before he could attack, Virginia had hit him with her Refrigerate spell. Jet used Fragile to make his power go down, Gallows Decelerated him, and Clive used the Lock On technique to hit him where it hurt. The man wasn't a happy camper about now, and attacked with his Eliminate Scanner spell. Virginia felt the attack cut into her side, but didn't flinch one bit. Only a baby cried from every little wound they took in a battle, and she was far from being a baby. She could only cry if the wound was a large one, or nearly fatal.

At last, the man went down. Janus tried to help him escape by supporting him on the shoulder. It was decided that the four would have to go after them so they didn't escape. But Gallows waited a little bit to claim the Moon Spark Medium from Celsidue. He held it out, and placed it into Virginia's hands. That made her feel a little weird, why was he giving this to her? Had the man realized what she really was?

"I think you need this the most," Gallows told her, "Moon Spark increases magical powers, and you are our healer. You should have the Medium that will gain you some added energy in your spells. We need to use the Heal spell often, since Berries only heal for so much and Potion Berries are sort of rare now."

'Intelligence from Gallows? Oh by Raftina the world has finally gone insane,' thought Virginia.

* * *

They fought off a monster on the way out, called the King of Anglomis. He was pretty powerful, and no one had escaped without injury. Virginia's Mystic and Heal spell had seen much use. Now, they were in the saloon, trying to decide on a new destination. She knew they'd have to find a way to track down the man, who'd gotten away after calling that monster to fight them in his stead. But where could he have gone too? Most likely another Guardian Shrine, he would be able to drain off the energy from whatever Guardian he could find there. But why had he done it in the first place? Why did they need the energy of Guardians?

Clive told her, "Do not think too much about the past. We must now search for another shrine. I have no idea where one could be though. Gallows, you're a priest. Do you know where the Shrines are?" Each member of the group turned towards him, wanting to hear what his answer would be. Had he even paid attention in his grandmother's lectures, for she'd told them how he used to goof off instead of listening.

Gallows scratched his head. "Something about highlands, that's all I remember. There were those mountains near Unclean Mark, could they hold a clue? I can't really remember the exact location, I fell asleep during Granny's lectures. The only time I remember something is when Shane would tell me what I missed, and even then it's only in fragments. I certainly didn't want to have all this responsibility in life." The others facefaulted right then and there, not believing what they'd heard. But it was their only lead, so they might as well take it. So after a good night's sleep, they set on out for the mountains they'd seen.

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

The most fun characters to play with are idiots, drunks, and ladies men. Funny, Gallows happens to be all three. No wonder I tease him so.