Chereads / The 12th Guardian / Chapter 18 - Who is to Be Next

Chapter 18 - Who is to Be Next

"Mother, are you okay. They did not hurt you did they?"

[Lepricus, helping his mother out of her restraints]

"Yes my son, I'm just glad that you are okay and safe."

[Queen Darina, crying as she embraces her son]

"How about you sister are you okay as well?"

[Lepricus, as Sirisa help release Ariana]

"I am doing fine, it's good to see you little brother. Just knowing you are fine and well makes me happy."

[Ariana, embracing Lepricus as well]

"What about Gixoh, where is he...nothing happened to him correct."

[Queen Darina, worried]

"He is fine, he went on ahead to the other gates. The explosions we heard earlier should have been him. He should be on his way back soon."

[Liam]

"Thank Elopiah, I was worried for no reason then. Thank you as well, Liam. You as well as Twilight and Temti have been a tremendous help. I've been able to see my children alive and well."

[Queen Darina]

"It' was no trouble, my Queen."

[Liam]

"I'm glad I could help out."

[Twilight]

"Yeah."

[Temti]

"I can't believe guys went on without me."

[Gixoh, returning with more captives]

"Welcome back brother it seems you were successful then."

[Lepricus]

"I'm glad you're safe my son."

[Queen Darina]

"Yeah, it was no problem at all."

[Gixoh, greeting his mother]

"I knew we were sending the right person. Is this everyone?"

[Sirisa]

"Yea, everyone is safe and accounted for, no thanks to you guys leaving me."

[Gixoh]

"Just drop it already."

[Sirisa]

"Twilight, please come with us."

[Queen Draina]

The Queen and I began heading towards the castle. As we began to head towards the castle she began chatting with me. We discussed a few things, for instance, I was curious on why the island was made up the way it was. Since Adrilla Island was made up the way it was. She told me an old story of how the way the island was made up from just Mt. Fithia, which I saw when rescuing Gixoh. It was the center of the island, to begin with. Over time and many eruptions, the island expanded. Spreading more towards its north and east. This created both the areas of Edina Plains, in which Lepricus was located, and the Gale Forest, where Sirisa and The Gahralow Tree are located. While Wara lake did not take form until S.Y. 534 a few years after the Twilight of Fire King Ruko was born. Though She didn't know too much about him other than his ascension into the throne. She did inform me that King Kirpinicus and him were the closest of friends.

Once we entered the castle, we went through a few old paintings. They were family portraits the Queen said, showing the different time periods of the world. As we turned a corridor she began to tell me a story of a long passed Fae, Drake class. He was a Dagger user, apparently, he was an assistant to King Kirpinicus and forged a Dagger out of a Sky King of Fire. At that time they were more of them roaming around. When the Dagger was completed it was said it bestowed him powers which were untold. She also told me this warrior was named Gixoh, which they named after their son. Once we reached the Armory she used some special magic code opening up the doors to it. As they opened we were both shocked. Two guards appeared in front of us, as soon as they realized who we were they bowed to the Queen.

"My Queen!"

[Manshu Royal Guard 1 & 2]

"Sia and Micus, you are alive and well thank Elopiah. This young man with me is Twilight."

[Queen Darina]

"Hey."

[Twilight]

"How did you end up in the Armory?"

[Queen Darina, telling the two to rise]

"Please follow us, my Queen."

[Sia]

"Well, my Queen, after you and your children made their escape we began to make our way into the Armory as it was the Safest place."

[Micus]

"I hope the four of them are doing well?"

[Sia]

"They are, but please continue. By any chance did my husband Kirpinicus make it out in here with you."

[Queen Darina]

"Actually that is what we wanted to show you."

[Sia]

When we turned the corner both Queen Darina and I were surprised. Laying on the ground injured but alive was King Kirpinicus. We couldn't believe it.

"My love, I'm glad to see you alive."

[King Kirpinicus, wheezing a little]

"Kirpinicus?! You're alive my love. Bless the Gods."

[Queen Darina, rushing to his side]

"Seeing your face means the world to me."

[King Kirpinicus]

"Why are you so injured, have you not been healing yourself? What about you, Jin, have you not been helping?"

[Queen Darina, Worried addressing both King Kirpinicus and his Royal Arch Mage of Light Jin]

"We both ran out of mana a while back, so we made due with these wrappings."

[Jin]

"Then we must hurry and get him to the other Arch Mages, they can treat him right away."

[Queen Darina]

"Before we do what about the children? Are they okay, did they survive?"

[King Kirpinicus]

"Yes, they did with the help of this young man here, Twilight we are all alright. We explain further on the way. Sia and Micus please assist, Twilight assist Jin."

[Queen Darina]

"Here Let me help you."

[Twilight]

[As we headed out, Darina grabbed what seemed to be a treasure box]

It took us some time to make our way back out of the armory and into the courtyard. When we arrived Lepricus rushed to his mother's aid. We assisted in getting him to the care of the other Arch Mages as well as Jin to replenish his essence. There were cheers and tears of joy among all of the citizens, especially his family. The King and his family spent a lot of time together the next few days as he healed. Queen Darina did come to me with the treasure box she had taken out of the armory. The Dagger she awarded me was just as she described. I spent my days while waiting to talk to the King training and practicing with it. With the main element of the dagger being fire it was a perfect fusion with my skills. Giving Dark Spids as well as Sadoria the ability to cause a burning effect on the target.

S.Y. 641 Agi 28 6:38 S.Q. - Manshu Kingdom City Courtyard

With the King fully healed we began discussing what to do next. It seemed the last of the Cult had made their way up north, to the Shrine of Gluttony. Liam and a few of his men planned to head up to battle, Temti and I planned to join as well. I still hadn't seen the King yet and was eager to ask about the last Twilight Guardian.

"I think we should just let them make their way to the Shrine. The Forsaken Gluttony is still roaming it so it's not like they will be able to raid it."

[Manshu Knight 1]

"That is true but from what I heard among the Cult members we had captured. One of the 9 Zodiac is among them and rumors say they are more powerful than a White Phoenix."

[Liam]

"What would they even want from the Shrine anyway?"

[Twiight]

"I believe I can answer that question for you."

[King Kirpinicus, entering the meeting room with both Lepricus and Gixoh behind]

"If they are actually able to defeat the Forsaken Gluttony. They may be looking to cultivate his essence."

[King Kirpinicus]

"I thought no one but the Twilight Guardian could defeat a Forsaken."

[Sia]

"That is true, but from what I've been hearing we have one standing among us again."

[King Kirpinicus]

"We do?"

[Liam]

"You know you remind a bit of the previous Guardian Shiro, it was rumored he had a son before his passing."

[King Kirpinicus, making his way towards Twilight]

"Wait, you mean to tell me that of all people he is the Twilight Guardian."

[Liam, in confusion]

"That can't be, he looks too young."

[Manshu Knight 2]

"Tell us what year were you born, young man?"

[King Kirpinicus]

"I was born in the year 634."

[Twilight]

[Sigh of disbelief amongst the crowd]

"That was the year King Shiro died correct?"

[Lepricus]

"Yeah, it was."

[Gixoh]

"If that is this changes everything and we have a lot to discuss."

[Liam]