The small island, on which the High Priest was standing and where Alvan's mother had sacrificed her life to create a translucent barrier, was closest to the mainland.
It covers an area of about sixty square meters in size, and its shape is irregular. It was slightly elevated above sea level, and its surface was rugged with bumps and depressions. The surface appeared to be hard, as it was dark brown with various rock boulders of different sizes sparsely scattered unevenly around.
Strangely, there seemed to be no other island close by. At intervals, the sound of water hitting the shores of the island can be heard before it recedes and the fluctuation continues. Also, the scent around the island was refreshing and had a distinctive aroma from the land.
However, one thing anyone here would never fail to see is a wooden walkway bridge that connects the island to the mainland. The floor was made of wooden planks and it hung in the air without any supporting pillars below it. Three feet above the thick wooden floor, there was a sturdy rope running along the length of the bridge. The thickness of the rope would be around three inches in diameter.
Nevertheless, even though it had no supporting beam or pillar from below and was just hanging about a foot above sea level, it didn't appear to be dangling but was always steady. It was tautly connected from the mainland to the island.
Standing close to the barrier created by Alvan's mother was the High Priest, dressed in a flowing white robe and holding a long staff. While standing at one edge of the island, two identical individuals had their gaze locked on the High Priest. From this vantage point, one could easily see the clear and beautiful deep blue waters of the meandering sea.
"The time has come for the Twin Guardians of Etheloria to save our land." The High Priest spoke in a low, calm voice, his face displaying a countenance that was difficult to discern.
The two figures, a man and a woman, began to walk with grandeur as their gaze shifted from the High Priest and landed on the impending calamity ahead.
On their brown-tanned face, beautified with a pair of cerulean eyes, and sleek light blue hair cascading down their back, which appeared to sparkle under the sun's radiance.
The male figure was dressed in black armor-like pants, with his upper body shirtless, revealing a well-defined chest and abs. The only exception to his bare torso were the silver-colored shoulder pads. If this were a movie, one could mistake him for a perfect Greek god.
Whereas, the twin sister was dressed in a simple yet elegant silver-colored robe-like dress that stopped just above her knees, revealing her alluring long legs. The dress was sleeveless and had a golden shoulder and collar pad with a hem-like design.
Furthermore, a shimmering belt was wrapped around her alluring waist. It was a light blue color that perfectly matched her hair, eyes, and the surrounding sea. On her hand was an eye-catching golden bangle, resembling jewelry, that extended from her elbows down to her wrist line.
With her mesmerizing light blue hair adorned with silvery jewelry and her eyes that complement the blue sky and water, on a well-sculpted face adorned with succulent rosy lips, one can only describe her with just three words - a beautiful fairy.
These two were the Twin Guardians of Etheloria, as addressed by the High Priest. They were two of the seven cosmic mages of Etheloria. These seven cosmic mages include Azura and Apphira (the twin guardians), the High Priest, Elara (Alvan's mother), two of the Ethelorian Elders, and the head commander of the Templar guards.
In Etheloria, mages, whether Aetherian or Cosmic, can be attuned to elemental magic, healing arts, or enchantments. For instance, Alvan and Emelda are examples of elemental magic mages. Elara belongs to the healing arts mages, while the High Priest is an enchantment mage, also known as a sorcerer.
Elemental magic mages can control and manipulate the elements. An elemental mage can have an affinity to control all elements, or perhaps just a few, such as two elements or even just one. Emelda is an example of a variant elemental mage who can manipulate only plant-associated elements.
Whereas healing arts mages, also known as healers, have an affinity for white magic. They can heal, regenerate, transmute, and even resurrect themselves, other humans, and objects. Elara was a renowned healer in Etheloria, known for her exceptional abilities. She had also transcended the realm of controlling cosmic energy.
While enchantment mages, also known as sorcerers, have an affinity with nature and can cast spells through enchantment and rituals. They have a better attunement with ethereal energy, and for the cosmic mages among them, cosmic energy. The High Priest was a white sorcerer who had also transcended the realm of controlling cosmic energy.
Azura and Apphira, who had been summoned by the High Priest, belong to the categories of elemental magic and healing arts, respectively. Azura was the male god-like figure, while Apphira was the fairy-like one. These two were known as the Twin Guardians for a reason.
However, any Aetherian who transcends to become a Cosmic Mage is popularly known as a "guardian". Because it was believed that celestial beings bestowed upon them the ability to wield cosmic energy, so they could be able to protect their land. Which was one of the main reasons that there were only a few of them in the entire Etheloria.
So, since these two were twins, they were nicknamed the Twin Guardians after both of them transcended the realm of being able to wield cosmic energy at the same time.
They both walked up to the High Priest and, upon returning their gazes to him, they slightly bowed.
Azura furrowed his brow as he fixed his gaze on the core at the center of the barrier, which appeared to be providing the barrier with limitless energy. "The Shadow Plague is back!" he said.
"I think I can sense Elara's aura nearby," Apphira said as she scanned the island, trying to locate Elara.
They all knew that this island was her utopia for practicing. Apphira, unable to find Elara, raised her index finger and released a small aura of white energy. The energy flowed directly to the core, fueling the barrier with power. Her eyes widened instantly.
Since she herself was a healer, she could easily locate her fellow healer's aura, especially since both of them were cosmic mages.
"Don't... tell me... that... No, no, it can't be, right?" She asked, looking at the High Priest, expecting an answer, even though she already knew the answer. However, she was doubting it. The high priest nodded.
"That core is your master's. She was infested by the shadow minions while she was practicing here and sacrificed herself by using her core and heart's blood to create this barrier." The High Priest replied and bowed his head as if he were filled with regret.
Apphira's eyes welled up with tears. Elara was her master before she transcended to become a cosmic mage.
"It's a pity. Her husband and she, the two powerful guardians of our land, lost their lives to the shadow plague." Azura said. Then he noticed his sister walking up to the barrier, her teary eyes fixated on the core.
When she approached the barrier, she placed her hand on it. The barrier rippled with energy, and she said, "Master Elara, I'm sorry, I failed to protect you. If only I had come out of the rejuvenation plane, maybe... just maybe... I could have cured you," she said with a sob. "However, I promise to take care of your son from now on."
After uttering these heartfelt words, she returned to the other group. "So, was it because she exhausted most of her powers while trying to save Zamon twenty-five years ago? Was that the reason why she ended up being infested with the shadow minions?" She asked.
"Probably... None of us guardians can be affected by the shadow minions, so it was likely because she was still in her weakest form." The high priest replied.
"She was the best mother ever," said Apphira with a smile, despite the tears that trickled down her cheeks. "She would have gone to the rejuvenation plane with us back then, but she decided to stay back and take care of her son, who was still a baby and couldn't handle the cosmic energy of that plane."
"It's enough now. We cannot go back in time to save her. Our main priority now should be how to stop this plague this time around." Azura said, patting his sister's back. "I wonder where the other three are. Or has anything happened to them?"
"We are here!" Walking towards the island through the wooden bridge were three men, probably in their sixties.
One of them was clad in silver armor and had a sword hanging from his back. He has a sleek ebony hair that added a touch to his average look, marred with a scar running diagonally across his face. While the other two wore similar regalia - a red and black garment. One had gray hair while the other had brown hair.
The one in armor attire was the Supreme Commander of the Templar guards, while the other two were among the five Elder Parliament members who govern the affairs of Etheloria.
The six guardians are now complete. Seeing Azura and Apphira, who were probably in their late thirties, the other three exchanged greetings with them. After all, the two of them hadn't been seen for twenty-five years because they had gone to the rejuvenation plane. Afterward, they bowed to the High Priest, who was the oldest, and he returned the gesture, especially to the two Elders.
"We apologize for any delay we may have caused. We went straight to the Templar Academy to meet up with Oscar after obtaining the information. When we arrived, he was still giving orders to the Templar guards to assist the villagers who had already been evacuated in settling down in the basement. Afterward, we came right away." Doger, one of the elders, explained while Oscar and the other, Kamuth, nodded.
"There is no problem." The High Priest replied before returning his gaze to the encroaching darkness ahead.
"Now, we should reinforce Elara's barrier here to help us hold back the darkness fort. Then we can help other villagers evacuate safely to the basement.
"After that, we will create the Dome Array over the Templar Academy and the basement because this barrier can't hold back that malevolent darkness forever." The high priest explained.
Then, the six guardians lined up side by side and began channeling cosmic energy to the barrier in front of them.
Azura, Oscar, and Kamuth happened to be elemental magic mages, as the color of their energy was golden. Apphira and Doger were healers, as their energy was white in color. Only the High Priest's cosmic energy was a myriad of neon colors since he was the only sorcerer among them - the rarest.