Chereads / The 12th Guardian / Chapter 8 - The Truth

Chapter 8 - The Truth

"Are you ready Temti?"

[Twilight, a little nervously]

"We're most likely about to die here soo, I guess I'm as ready as I can be."

[Temti]

I dashed at the Forsaken, with Temti not too far behind, I withdrew my daggers, and into the air, I leaped. From a distance the Forsaken didn't seem like much of a threat, but as I began to race towards him. Both Temti and I rushed in, we hoped we could at least get a slight head start, but the Forsaken was too fast. The moment we were in range it quickly turned towards us and struck us with its staff. It was more than either of us could handle but we were still able to regain our composure. We exchanged blow after blow with the Forsaken, I turned over to my side, finally noticing that Temti had overworked himself.

"Do you think we've almost defeated it yet?"

[Temti, panting from exhaustion]

"I'm not sure yet, it seems to be taking forever at this point. We may not be able to get through this without getting hurt a bit."

[Twilight, panting from exhaustion as well]

"I think I'm going to have to try out that new skill."

[Twilight]

"Are you sure, we haven't really practiced it yet."

[Temti]

"I think it's the only way for us to be able to defeat this creature at this point."

[Twilight]

[The Forsaken lets out Howl of Anger]

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's the only way"

[Temti, freaking out with fear]

[Activate Skill: Shadow Impulse]

After a few more blows were exchanged, I came to realize just how much stronger this Forsaken was than me. All I could do at this point was hope it was at its halfway mark for health. With Shadow Impulse activated it became easier as I became darker. At this point, Temti was out of commission, after defeating the two Mining Plants it became somewhat easier to fight. Though it was at the last minute, I finally was able to defeat the Forsaken.

"That...That was a...lot tougher than I thought it would be."

[Twilight]

"Thank you for saving me."

[Strange Voice]

[Twilight and Temti look up to a ghostly figure in confusion.]

"Who are you?"

[Temti]

"My name is Adora, I was once the Guardian of Sloth, I had long been lost. You have set me free, and if you are who I think you are then I hope you know you carry on your father's legacy."

[Adora - Spirit of Sloth]

"My father's legacy?"

[Twilight]

"You will understand one of these days"

[Adora - Spirit of Sloth]

Adora began to fade away into a blue essence, slowly moving towards Twilight. At its final moments, a flash of light ejects from within Twilight, engulfing not just him but Temti as well.

"What was that?"

[Twilight]

"I don't…"

[Temti says slowly]

"Why is everything, except me, moving so slow."

[Twilight]

[As Twilight tries to touch Temti everything begins to speed back up.]

"..know, I hope it isn't poisonous."

[Temti]

"I'm not sure what just happened, but it seems to have stopped."

[Twilight]

"What do you mean? What happened?"

[Temti]

"I'll tell you about it later, let's just get out of here."

[Twilight]

S.Y. 641, Muro 16 2:06 L.Q. - Mine City Town Square

I headed back up, the Zenshu Cult had left and members of the city were back to normal. I told the Guardian Knights about what happened and they said to return to the mayor in Areon Village so I did. When I arrived at the village the villagers greeted me with a warm welcome. One, in particular, came up to me with a warm smile.

S.Y. 641 Muro 31 8:10 S.Q. - Areon Village

"You survived!"

[Villager 1]

"We knew you could do it!"

[Villager 2]

"Thanks for saving us all!"

[Villager 3]

"Welcome back young man, I don't think you remember me but, my name is Sheia. I was one of the people you saved from the Zenshu Cult in Mine City."

[Sheia]

"No, I don't but I'm glad you made it out okay."

[Twilight]

"Honestly, we are lucky we even made it out at all"

[Temti]

"As you can see we've been able to rebuild most of the village"

[Anita]

"None of it would have been possible without you. When I arrived I found out exactly what you did for us here. So I just want to thank you for helping save this village. I just so happen to be the Phoenix for our Guardian Knight branch, and we plan on restarting soon. You should stop by sometime, the new Hatchlings would love to meet you."

[Sheia - Guardian Knight: Phoenix]

[New Side Quest]

"That sounds like something I could do."

[Twilight]

"Well before all that why don't you come and join me at my place for dinner. I would like to know exactly what happened at Mine City."

[Anita]

"You wouldn't mind if I joined?"

[Sheia]

"Can I join as well?"

[Jekab]

We then headed into Anita's home, where she hosted a gracious dinner for the four of us. We had some laughs and shared a few stories about the journey there and back. Sheia told me more about the Guardian Knights and what it used to be like when they were more prominent in the world. It turns out her recently late father was a White Phoenix, which was the highest rank achievable. Jekab also talked a bit about how the village was slowly rebuilt after Temti and I left.

"You know the strangest thing happened a few days ago."

[Anita]

"Yeah, wasn't it coming from your place Jekab? I swear I saw a blue light."

[Sheia]

"Yeah I'm not really sure what happened but my sister Arie. Luckily she's okay but my mother was freaking out, we didn't really know what was going on."

[Jekab]

"Wait when did this happen?"

[Twilight]

"It happened a few days ago I think around Inu 3."

[Jekab]

"I think that was the day we defeated the Forsaken."

[Temti]

"You ran into a Forsaken? What did it look like?"

[Sheia]

"Yeah, it was at the bottom of the Mine City Caves."

[Twilight]

"Wait, are you sure?

[Anita]

"Oddly enough it resembled an elf."

[Twilight]

"With Blue Eyes and Orange hair?"

[Anita]

"Yeah, how did you know?"

[Temti]

"It couldn't be."

[Sheia]

"You ran into the Spirit of Sloth, are you okay? How did you get away?"

[Anita]

"Getaway? Twilight defeated the creature with no problem."

[Temti]

"Really? That's impossible, it's said only the Twilight Guardian can defeat the Forsaken Guardians."

[Anita]

"We have to inform the village! He's really still alive."

[Sheia, to Jekab as they run out of Anita's home]

"Twilight Guardian?"

[Twilight]

"Yes, for many generations the Guardians have protected the world. With the Twilight Guardian as their leader. But it's been said he was killed and his family lineage destroyed. If you really were able to defeat the Forsaken Guardian then this must mean that you're the next Twilight Guardian."

[Anita]

"But how's that possible you just said his lineage was destroyed."

[Temti]

"That is true, but 11 years ago there was hope, the Temple of Twilight glowed in the response of a new Guardian coming to the world. But we thought it was a mistake since no one showed...Young man, how old are you?"

[Anita]

"Well I am 11, but I barely knew my mom, before she was taken by the cult. As for my late father he died before I was born."

[Twilight]

"Hmmm that puts us at a bit of a loss, but wait, the next Island, Manshu, is said to be ruled by the Fae King, one of the few people to live through three eras of Twilight. If anyone knows if you're truly a guardian it would be him."

[Anita]

"How do we get to this island?"

[Twilight]

"Don't worry I am already ahead of you since you left we have been preparing a ship, as well as a few knights to join you."

[Anita]