Chereads / The 12th Guardian / Chapter 45 - The Citadel

Chapter 45 - The Citadel

After a few days of resting we decided it was time for me to keep our promise to Frodimon. We knew trying to rescue Diamon and Thidimon wouldn't be an easy task. So I asked the people of Dragondale to help us.

"Greetings my friends. I'm glad to see you were all able to get some rest."

[Aka]

"Yeah this place is amazing, it's like a world class inn."

[Gixoh]

"Yeah minus all the fish dishes anyway."

[Liam]

"So what can we help you all with? Oh and before I forget this is my new advisor, Kahuna."

[Aka]

"Hello, I've heard a lot about you. Thank you for protecting our Kingdom and saving our Island from destruction."

[Kahuna]

"It was nothing really, but if you just so happen to have some non-fish based food for a reward, we would gladly accept."

[Liam, virtually begging]

"Ignore him. Anyway I think it's about time we make our way to Thidimon, do you think you could help us?"

[Twilight]

"Actually I wanted to talk to you about that, my advisor and I have been trying to find out just exactly how to get there. Unfortunately though from what it seems no one really knows how."

[Aka]

"It seems since all three islands are giant creatures that travel they don't really gather close except for the Grand Festival. Other than that they spend their days wandering around the world. They could be in a number of places."

[Kahuna]

"So then how do we make our way to Frodimon?"

[Obitiga]

"Well there might still be a way. After talking to a few of our elders it seems there used to be a way to teleport between the islands."

[Kahuna]

"It's been years since anyone has used it or been there though. So we aren't sure about its exact location or if it even works still."

[Aka]

"But it seems like it's our best bet. We have to try and at least check it out."

[Twilight]

"You're right, which is why I've decided to join you. If you do find a way to reconnect the 3 islands I want to be a part of it."

[Aka]

"What about your duties here as CEO?"

[Temti]

"Don't worry that's why Kahuna will be here, he's going to fill in for me until we stop the Cults' evil from spreading."

[Aka]

"How do you guys know all this?"

[Temti]

"Oh I actually don't know any of this to be honest. Kahuna is the one that revealed all this to me as we talked."

[Aka]

"You see, we of the Earth clan retain memories from our elders. My Grandmother's memories are the ones I received. She was the oldest of the old generation at the time."

[Kahuna]

So we headed for the teleporter for Thidimon. It seems it was close to the access to Frodimon's face. When we found the teleporter it was covered in a bunch of snow and ice. After clearing the ice and snow we found some symbols on it. They were new to us all except for Aka anyway. He said it seemed similar to something he saw in his fathers journals while we were back in town. Doing his best to remember the translation he began to chant it, causing the teleporter to activate.

"So who wants to take the risk?"

[Sirisa]

"Hey don't look at me, I've been through quite a few near death experiences, and I'm not trying to repeat it."

[Liam]

"Oh so we've got a chicken."

[Obitiga]

"Yep."

[Liam]

"Well we could always test it out first by tossing a few rocks or something."

[Temti]

"What if it explodes!?"

[Liam]

"You know you're really negative sometimes."

[Lepricus - As everyone searches for something to throw]

"Nah, I'm just a realist."

[Liam]

"If you say so."

[Gixoh - Tossing a rock within the portal]

"Either way, Aka, do you know where we are heading on Frodimon?"

[Twilight - Tossing a branch]

"I actually do, a lot of people intown talked about a town called the Citadel. It's like a city of light or something."

[Aka - Tossing another rock]

"City of light?"

[Twilight - Curious]

"Yeah it's rumored that the island doesn't get much sunlight except for one spot here and there. With the Citadel being built there it seems to shine bright enough to be seen from almost anywhere on the island."

[Aka - Tossing some more rocks]

After a few more rocks and other plant life to test it and when it seemed nothing was burning or returning back to us we stepped in ourselves. The experience was odd, like being broken down into essence itself, nothing like entering 'The Space', but it did get me wondering. 'What if this is what all the defeated Guardians I've faced felt like when they disappear.

Anyway it didn't take us long to end up on the other side, it seemed we were near a few mountains. The weather was bleak, raging storms and darkness is what we arrived too. So naturally we decided to head into the mountains. Hoping we would find shelter. Unfortunately we didn't find any, so we kept climbing until we reached the top.

From there we could see a light in the distance. We figured it should be the Citadel, and if we could make our way there we should be fine.

We began discussing what Aka knew about the Citadel on the way back down the mountain. How in the past it was known for its great festival for Riders. The last known contact from them however was around when the Cult began to invade. No one really knows much about what is going on in the town but there were letters saying people should migrate as they are all still living normal everyday lives.

"Why do you think the people of the Citadel are allowed to live normally?"

[Obitiga]

"Maybe they all accepted the Cult together?"

[Temti]

"I don't think that many people could all agree on the Cults' ways."

[Liam]

"Yeah you're right, what if they don't know the Cult is leading though."

[Temti]

"That's a possibility."

[Twilight]

"Well the town's full name is the Citadel of Thunder, it's home to the people of light."

[Aka - eager to inform the others of more]

"People of light?"

[Temti]

"Yes, as I was saying earlier about them being known for being Riders it seems their culture revolved around the familiars they made. Racing to see who was the strongest, as I mentioned. People from around the world would come to participate."

[Aka]

"Oh so like a huge attraction for the whole world to see."

[Liam - excited]

"Well for non-islanders you could say it was something like that."

[Aka]

"So what would you get for winning this race?"

[Obitiga]

"Those who won were honored by the Luminous Grande, he would ascend their familiar, making them stronger than they ever were before."

[Aka]

"Ascend...their familiars??"

[Temti - Confused]

"How can anyone do something like that?"

[Gixoh]

"Well most of the inhabitants are of the ascended race, it said some who are truly talented could strengthen the creatures around them."

[Aka]

"So let's say the Citadel Members aren't on the Cults' plans."

[Twilight]

"Then the Cult is here to try and win the race in order to strengthen their creatures."

[Obitiga]

"Precisely."

[Twilight]

"Then we better hurry, don't you think?"

[Liam]