The temple of the congregation stood amid great nothingness. It was a tall, bright, spiraling structure surrounded by white infinity and lightly colored clouds. There existed no time or space, no wind or rain, and no sound penetrated the vast silence. Within the temple, the walls were adorned with intricate carvings depicting ancient symbols and mythical creatures, seemingly frozen in their eternal dance. Soft rays of light filtered through stained glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the polished marble floor. The gentle hum of unseen energy resonated through the walls, as if the very essence of creation itself flowed within its sacred halls. In the center of a grand oval hall on the white tile floor, an individual shrouded in tranquility sat with people gathered around him on the raised stone stairs. A silent buzz could be heard in the air as various members conversed in hushed whispers. When the hall was full, however, there was silence as the Oracle prepared to speak.
'Brothers and sisters, we gathered here because I received numerous complaints about the currently selected Guardians. I will listen to your statements and evaluate their applicability to the situation. Who will go first?' The serene man asked. Suddenly, a woman stood up and hissed angrily. She had long white hair and sharp-tipped ears, a black nose with whiskers, and resembled a cat. Her piercing eyes scanned the room, filled with a mix of curiosity and disdain. The crowd shifted uncomfortably, their anticipation growing as they awaited her words.
'I will speak, Oracle.' She said this, bowing politely, and received a nod from the man.
'You may speak, Luba, guardian of Aurameres.'
Luba cleared her throat, her voice carrying a sense of authority. 'Thank you, Oracle. I stand before you today to address the growing dissatisfaction with the choices in our realm. The current Guardians are humans, and they are weak creatures. Rather than confronting Phobos, the Guardians are assisting Meridian's people. It's not a bad cause, but the veil is thin, and they're more concerned with their personal lives than with their Guardian duties. Those girls don't deserve the powers we bestowed on them!' She huffed and sat back, crossing her arms after expressing her feelings on the subject. Luba was overjoyed to see a few members nod their heads, clearly agreeing with her. The Oracle smiled, not giving any indication of his thoughts.
'Dear friend, I understand your point of view, but the moment their powers manifested, they turned into magical beings. The girls may be human at heart, but the magic coursing through their veins has transformed them into something much more than a mere human,' he said in defense of his argument. 'I agree they can be quite a handful, but that does not mean Guardians are wrong for assisting the people of Meridian, who are in dire need of help. Their participation in combat demonstrates their commitment to our cause.'
'I disagree, Oracle! The current Guardians break too many rules! They are reckless and irresponsible! Look at what they created with their powers—a copy of the Fire Guardian, who at the moment is lost to us!' The man stood up, his voice reverberating throughout the hall. He was tall, with gray hair put on in braids that ended in darker-colored tips. Three deep gouges on his face, along with long, healed scars going through his eye, were the most visible marks on him. He motioned to the white floor, where an image of the girls formed as they created a fake person.
'They should not play with their powers. This violates the magical laws! Furthermore, Guardians should close the portals, not travel through them! As you may recall, it was my idea to create a veil to weaken Phobos's power and confine him to the planet where he was born. We all witnessed how strong he is! The magic is failing, and there are too many holes in the veil, which is somehow thinning without a cause. I am afraid he will escape, and we will have chaos on our hands! I want him dead! Send Guardians to kill him! They should be capable enough, and if not, we can replace them!' The stern man spoke. His speech was bold and confident, eliciting a silent conversation around him as the members were swayed by the deft words. Some of the people exchanged glances, their expressions filled with a mix of uncertainty and agreement. The stern man's persuasive argument had struck a chord, leaving them contemplating the gravity of the situation.
'Endarno the Wise, Guardians are not killers!' The Oracle remarked, 'We should not interfere in life or death matters. Equality is in the balance. Death will come to everyone at their own time.' He waved his hand, and the image vanished, leaving the floor as clean as before.
'Then the Guardians should have been called younger. I would have made them into perfect weapons, now they are just unruly soldiers! I especially do not like the current Guardian of the Heart. She is extremely powerful, and her mind is too feeble for such a responsibility. That human is incompetent, and she could infect the other Guardians. I believe we should replace her, as the silly girl nearly gave the Heart to the enemy!' The man's arguments against the girls were relentless. His eyes were cold as he spoke the words of contempt, 'Let me discipline them!'
'You are too quick to judge, Endarno! The girls are strong in their friendship. If we withdraw one of them at this time, I do not believe the others will be pleased. Let's wait. Guardians are young, they will age, and with age comes experience and wisdom. They did not commit any errors so grave as to merit punishment. Does anyone else wish to comment?' The Oracle asked, radiating calmness all around. The room fell into a heavy silence as the Oracle's words hung in the air. Endarno's cold stare remained, as he was still unconvinced. He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, contemplating the Oracle's wise words. Despite their disagreements, the people remained silent because they trusted the Oracle's wisdom and knowledge. Some members were frowning, but no one spoke.
The Oracle nodded his head and stated, 'Well, if this is everything, my verdict remains unchanged. We would not interfere with the Guardians as they continue to fight on their own volition. Meeting adjourned!' He dismissed the council. People stood and gradually left the room in small groups, actively talking in hushed tones so as not to disturb the peaceful silence in the hall. As they exited, a sense of uncertainty lingered in the air, as if the Oracle's decision had left some members feeling unsettled. Whispers of doubt and concern could be heard among the hushed conversations, hinting at a growing division within the council. The room soon became empty except for two figures, one kneeling on the ground and the other standing behind his back. The Oracle silently sighed, looking exhausted.
'Tibor, my dear friend, I'm not sure how much longer I can hold him off... Endarno is gaining more followers. He wants to use Guardians as playthings,' he said to the elderly man next to him with a magnificent snow-white beard. 'Darkness is stirring. I can feel it in my bones and beneath the temple's deep roots. Something is changing—whether for the better or for the worse, I have no idea. All I can do is hope that the Guardians can weather the impending storm. It's clouding my vision. I cannot see clearly what is happening in Metamoor, and Guardian of the Heart is practically invisible to my sight… I think she is unconsciously using magic, concealing herself from the enemy's sight, myself included.' Oracle said, looking worried and tired as the other man assisted him in standing.
'Oracle, we must remain vigilant and trust in the Guardians' abilities,' the other man said reassuringly. 'Even if your vision is clouded, we must have faith that they will prevail against any impending danger.'
'Wilhelmina will need all the strength she can get, especially now that the fight is becoming serious…' He waved his hand, and a blurry image of a sleeping woman with red hair appeared on the ground. Then, the image changed to show the Fire Guardian unconscious on her side. The Oracle said nothing else, but the concern in his eyes spoke volumes. He sighed, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders, stood up, and walked out of the bright hall as the images faded away.
Taranee groaned, slowly returning to reality. Her head hurt, her mouth felt like sandpaper, as if she had slept longer than necessary, and her body refused to move on command. The girl blinked and looked around, but everything was blurry, so she closed her eyes again and gently shook her head. When the view became clear, the fire Guardian stifled a gasp, remembering what had happened. She was captured, and her prison was a clear, large, impenetrable bubble. It floated around a deep chasm filled with murky water, and above her was a dome of jagged rocks. There was no way out—just dark, steep walls with columns carved into the sides, water, and a narrow platform protruding from the cliff. There were some barely visible stairs deeper down in the tunnel, leading from the platform. It was the only visible exit. She could feel the dampness in the air and hear the faint echoes of water dripping into the chasm below. The weather was never a problem for her, especially in Guardian form, because fire ran in her veins, but it appeared her magic was depleted. She tried to summon her powers, but all she felt was a weak flicker within her. The realization set in that she was completely defenseless in this strange and dangerous environment. The darkness seemed to close in on her with each passing moment, heightening her fear. Taranee knew she had to find a way out before it was too late, but she was exhausted. There was nothing else to do but rest. She closed her eyes, not wanting to see the depths below, and produced a tiny floating ball of fire to keep her warm. There was no telling how deep the water was. She had no idea how much time had passed because there was no natural light in the cavern, only artificial floating lightbulbs produced dull light. She must have dozed off because the sound of footsteps echoing on the walls woke her up. Taranee jolted upright, her heart pounding with fear and anticipation. As the footsteps grew louder, she strained her ears to identify the source. Was it a rescuer or an enemy? However, without a care in the world, Elyon emerged from the tunnel and stepped out onto the parapet.
'Good morning, Taranee, did I wake you up?' She asked in a sympathetic tone, 'Sorry for the lack of hospitality, but I cannot allow you to roam free.'
Taranee's fear turned to disbelief as she realized that Elyon, their once-trusted friend, had become her captor. The realization sent a chill down her spine, and she could feel the weight of their friendship crumbling under the weight of Elyon's newfound power.
'Go to hell, Elyon! I thought you were our friend!' Taranee scoffed at the girl's theatricality, deeply hurting for a lost friend. There seemed to be no turning back, and as a Fire Guardian, she couldn't forgive her jailer for a betrayal of trust.
'What a good friend... Constantly lying to me… I thought you would be sympathetic to my plight, being adopted yourself. Taranee, are you not enraged by your parents' lies? Consider the trauma of finding yourself born in an entirely different world. I never asked, but did you know I was not from Earth?' Elyon looked at her with a deep frown, marring her beautiful face.
'Does it matter now? Whatever lingering feelings of friendship I had for you were destroyed the moment you betrayed us all to that monster!' Taranee gritted her teeth, not wanting to hear the lies she was spewing. Elyon extended her hand, and the bubble floated closer to the parapet for a better view.
'Now, I came here with a purpose.' She said, smirking at her. 'I know you expect the rest of the Guardians to save you, but I have bad news. They abandoned you!' She laughed and motioned at the murky waters below. Slowly, the water became still and condensed, becoming a mirror, and then the images formed. They showed the other Guardians sitting in class and Taranee attending school and conversing with students, laughing and enjoying her time without a care in the world. It was not based on her memories because she had never worn such clothes before. The images changed and floated, depicting her day like a kaleidoscope. She shook her head. Whatever happened, Will and others did not abandon her.
'Just look at that! They replaced you with a better copy! Marvelous, isn't it?' Elyon asked, twirling the braid around her fingers.
'That's untrue!' Taranee closed her eyes and yelled. She couldn't believe what Elyon was saying in an attempt to provoke her, knowing that her friends would never betray her in such a way. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself before responding. Nonetheless, the images continued to flash before her eyes.
'That's reality Taranee, believe it or not, I am always right. I didn't want to do this, but you are too stubborn for your own good.' Elyon smirked and gathered the magic surrounding the bubble with an electrical field. Taranee was terrified as the vicious-looking bolts engulfed her from all sides. It silently cracked and sent minor currents through the bubble. She could feel the hairs on her body standing up from the charge in the air.
'Nice, isn't it? I will leave you with this, but there is a catch. Every time you close your eyes, my magic will deliver charges through the shield. Next time I'll come, maybe you will be more cooperative.' Elyon chuckled and withdrew, leaving the Fire Guardian slumped in her bubble. Her eyes shone with fearful understanding—sleep deprivation was a cruel form of torture.
'Will, help me!' Taranee screamed in her mind with all the power she had. The desperate scream traveled far from her prison, transcending time and space, crossing the Veil, and finding the intended target peacefully sleeping in her bed. Then it latched on…
Deeper in the tunnel, Cedric waited for Elyon, boringly leaning against the wall. His human form remained as flawless as the first time she saw him. No hair was out of place, and no dust was on his elegant robes. Steely gray eyes followed her descent as he stood straighter, waiting for her.
'How's our prisoner?' He inquired, joining her on the walk back to the castle.
'Weaker, but resistant. Your enchanted prison is doing its job.' Elyon nodded to the man, pondering how she could persuade her ex-friend to join them. She knew that convincing him would not be easy, as she had always been stubborn and fiercely independent.
'That bubble is the result of her magic mixed with mine. It weakens her, but don't irritate the Guardian too much, as enraged fire can be unpredictable and hard to contain.' Cedric advised her, opening the door and letting the girl through. The men on Meridian were more courteous than those on Earth. She always marveled at the difference it could make. Sometimes she felt like a heroine in a grim fairytale book where everybody bowed and treated her with the utmost respect. The air in Meridian was filled with an aura of reverence, making her feel like she belonged to a world where chivalry still thrived. As she tried to navigate through the intricate social dynamics of Meridian, Elyon couldn't help but wonder what hidden agendas were at play behind closed doors. The elegant facade of chivalry masked a society where alliances were forged and broken and where every word spoken carried weight and consequence. She knew that in order to truly understand this world, she had to learn the art of manners, which were already forgotten on Earth. That seemed like a daunting task to the girl who grew up in a time when people were more concerned with individualism and self-expression.
'Taranee is weak. If I play my cards right, I might be able to persuade her to join our cause. That would make my brother very happy.' Elyon sighed, with lots of ideas swirling in her mind. Brother was evasive with her, but she couldn't complain because he had a country to govern. Elyon understood that Phobos's responsibilities as a ruler took precedence over their personal relationship, leaving her eager to prove herself and make a meaningful contribution to their cause.
'I am certain he is proud of you either way. Prince Phobos looked for you for a very long time.' Cedric said, trying to reassure his charge. Playing babysitter was not in his job description, but as a member of the royal family, he did what was required. Over time, he grew to like the girl a little bit. She was malleable and had a strong desire to learn. With the heart of a scholar, he delighted in having such a motivated student. In addition, it was an honor that Prince Phobos entrusted him with this task.
'Have you informed the Prince about our little guest in the dungeons?' He inquired, already knowing Phobos would be upset if Elyon went out on her own and considering how to appease him. Why he had to have such a difficult character was beyond comprehension, but navigating Phobos' moods was a skill that everyone had to learn on the spot.
'Not yet, I want it to be a surprise…' The young woman shrugged. 'First, I need to get her on our side…' Elyon contemplated her plan, knowing that gaining the trust of their captive was crucial before revealing her to her brother. He'd certainly appreciate her efforts if she could turn Taranee into an ally in their fight against their enemies.
'Elyon, that is inadvisable. If you do not inform him, I will. The Guardians will not abandon their friend. We will need to take precautions.' Cedric frowned, unwilling to take on that responsibility.
'Fine, be a mood killer… I will tell him, but give me more time. I'll still want to play for a bit.' She giggled, imagining the Guardians' faces when they came to Meridian. If only she could catch them all, her brother would be overjoyed, and she would prove herself worthy of being related to him.
'Fine. You have three days. I never imagined you could be sadistic, Elyon…' Cedric leveled his eyes, looking at the girl. The Prince certainly knew about their brief excursion with the soldiers. If he did not order him to appear in court for an explanation, then everything was probably fine.
Elyon shrugged nonchalantly with a mischievous glint in her eyes. 'I guess we all have our hidden depths,' she replied, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm. 'But don't worry, Cedric, I won't let you down. Just watch and see what I can do.'
'Do not disappoint me.' He bid the woman farewell, leaving her in the corridor leading to her room. For a brief moment, the girl stood motionless, staring at Cedric's back and his silky, golden ponytail swaying with each step. She blushed, imagining what it would be like to dig her fingers into those strands. But she quickly shook off the thought, reminding herself of the task at hand. With determination in her eyes, Elyon turned and headed towards her room, ready to prove herself and plot her vengeance on her ex-friends.