The elder elf dashes through the narrow streets of the bustling village, moving so quickly that he appears as a mere blur to those around him. Despite his frenzied haste, not a single person seems to take notice of his presence, as if he were merely a fleeting figment of their imaginations.
When he spotted Nico he appeared to be in a heated conversation with a blonde elf who had a weapon strapped to his side. Nico held up a hand halting the conversation then approached him.
The elf gestured for Nico to follow and he grumbled something and trailed behind him.
Around them, people went about their day calling out to Nico and waving. A little boy even came to shake his hand. But still, no one batted an eye at the older elf.
"How come no one else can see you?" Nico pndered when they were alone. "Are like a ghost or something?"
"No!"
Nico folded his arms and raised a brow, a look that reminded the elder so much of his son he flinched.
"What?" Nico asked, arms dropping to his side, eyebrows furrowed and lips parched slightly. "You look troubled."
The elder sighs. "I see your father kept even me a secret from you."
"Wh-What?"
"It's the reason only you can see me." he tapped a massive tree with the staff and new branches sprouted. "Well, part of the reason. I suppose to you uncultured swines I am a ghost, but spirit is the more polite way to put it. Or Guardian.
"So.. you're my..."
"Grandfather. They used to call me The Great Seer back in the day." he sighs, twirling the staff. "But Rob will do."
The tress rustled slightly in the breeze, whipping Nic's hair every which way. When he finally asked, "So..you're dead, then?"
Rob scowled. "You're not serious are you?"
"Can you blame me, really?" Nico began to pace back and forth. "You're my long-lost grandfather/Guardian who's got magical powers. Maybe this is just a dream."
Rob turned his attention from the people giving Nico strange looks. Smiling he reached forward and slapped him. He laughed at Nico's startled expression. "Still think it's a dream?" he turned on his heel and beckoned him to follow.
Rob led him through the trees to a small clearing with a log. He sat and Nico plopped down beside him.
Rob then grabbed Nico's and squeezed. "First things first, I am not a figment of your imagination, a ghost, or a hoax. I swear if you call me any of those things I'll turn you into one of these willow trees faster than you can blink."
He released Nico's hand and snapped a table into view full of food. Nico was still staring at him with awe and confusion.
"Heavens help us if you're going to be the next Guardian." Rob groaned, stuffing a piece of bread in his mouth. "You're going to attract flies."
Nico spluttered and spat the bread out. "Guardian? Why am I a guardian?"
"Would that be the right question?"
"Uh. What is a Guardian then?"
Rob tapped his stick and flowers bloomed. "Better, but not quite. Anyhow, a Guardian is a protector of magic. Like this place here - it's sustained by me. It's draining but," he shrugged twirling the staff. "All in a day's work I say."
"So if-"
"If I die this place will to. You and all your friends will be exposed and vulnerable." Rob clicked his tongue. "You're father was destined to be a guardian. He could control storms, what magic can you wield?"
Nico held his hand palm up on his knee and a flame hovered above his palm.
Rob scrunched his nose. "Oh no."
"Oh no what?" Nico doused the flame and blinked up at him.
"If summoning a fireball can drain you this easily we have a lot of work to do."
Nico huffs. "How is that my fault? Wait..going back to what you said earlier. My dad...controlled the storms? I never...why didn't he tell us? About you...or...or this guardian stuff He could've trained me!"
"I'm sorry Nico. Your father left after he met your mother." Rob smiled sadly. "Said he wanted nothing to do with this--with me. Often times he shouted that I was crazy."
Nico blinked. "You can see the future."
"I can."
"So you could've prevented my family's deaths?!" Nico exploded, jumping to his feet.
Rob turned to stare off into the distance to calm his racing heart. He hummed a soft tune before answering. "You don't think I tried, Nicholas?" he shook his head.
"I tried to tell your father what was going to happen right before King Kojo attacked. He screamed and told me to go away and that I was lying."
A tear slid down Rob's cheek and he quickly wiped it away.
"Do you know how painful it was to see him...to see him killed? Your mother? Cammi? None of them deserved that." Rob dared to glance at Nico who was glaring at the dirt. "Have you any idea how many times I wish I could go back to try again? Beg your father to listen? So in a way, yes, I suppose his death was my fault."
Nico sniffled and rubbed his nose.
"I hate you."
"I get that a lot." Rob chuckled. "But I've come to warn you."
"Warn me?"
Rob nodded. "The Scavengers are back. They took that boy and nearly killed King Kojo." he grabbed Nico's hands. "You listen to me, are you listening."
Nico nodded.
"Whatever you do, don't let Kaya return to her father. If the Scavengers discover she's carrying the child of a Guardian, I can only imagine the horror they'd put her through. Do you understand?"
"Y-YEs."
"Good." Rob held his hands out the front of him and murmured something under his breath.
As he concentrated, a warm and radiant glow emanated from his fingertips, illuminating the air around him. Gradually, the light coalesced into a solid form, taking the shape of a long and slender staff made of pure gold.
At its center, a gleaming red gem sparkled brilliantly, reflecting the sun's rays in all directions. Finally, with a sense of satisfaction, he held the staff in his hands, admiring the craftsmanship and the magical power it possessed.
"You're Guardian weapon."
Nico took it twirling it before hitting himself on the head. He rubbed the abused spot, wincing. "The Scavengers are back. I never dreamed such a thing could happen."
Rob stared at him through narrowed eyes. And he started to shimmer. "Believe me, dear boy, these things don't happen in dreams. Only nightmares."
Then he was gone.