Chapter 0: Guardians

Elhasa Year 220

Amidst the tall mountains covered by lush and tall pine trees of the forest on its foot that is enshrouded in the darkness of the night lies a castle where the warm orange glow of the lights inside can be seen from its windows. Inside the castle, the atmosphere is warm and festive as a banquet was held tonight where the stars above the sky are like sparkling diamonds, making one want to touch them.

On the balcony, a beautiful woman wearing a white long dress that fit perfectly on her body, showing the curves of her body. Her snow-white hair draped on her back, melding to her snow-white dress, reached out her hand to the sky. Atop her head, adorned by the sparkling diamonds in the sky, is her crown. Her sparkling crown adorned her white hair that’s like fine silk. Her skin is fair and smooth, her eyes are big and round, and her irises are like sapphires, shining brightly when the lights inside the castle strike them, blanketed by her long and white eyelashes. Her nose is high, and her lips are red and full.

She is the lovely princess of Elhasa Kingdom. She is watching the dancers gracefully dance in the middle. Their bodies are vigorously swaying with the accompaniment of the music instruments played by the musicians that her father, the king, hired for her twenty-first birthday, which will be happening only an hour away from now.

“Your Highness.” A deep male voice called behind her.

Princess Alf turned and saw a handsome knight wearing red armor standing by the door. He has a perfectly chiseled face, thick and long brows, dark red eyes and flaming red hair.

“Phyros.” Alf called and smiled at him, her voice gentle and sweet.

The man’s rigid face eased as he bowed before her then offered his hand to her. Alf’s beautiful face brightened, and she took his hand. Phyros led her to the ballroom, and they walked towards the center of the dance floor.

Alf placed her hands on the man’s broad and steady shoulder, then looked at his face. Phyros put his hand on her back and his other hand took her hand placed on his right shoulder. Then, the music started and everybody resumed dancing.

“Phyros.” Alf called and smiled. She went to hug him and kissed him on the lips. “My love.” she said, laying her head on his broad chest.

Phyros hugged her back. “Your Highness.” He called as he carefully touched her. “Happy birthday.” He spoke.

A wide and bright smile bloomed on Alf’s face as she raised her head to gaze at her lover’s handsome face. Phyros’s flaming red hair seemed like the fire dancing.

“My birthday has not arrived yet.” Alf said.

“But, I want to tell you that before it arrives.” Phyros said. “I can greet you again when it finally arrives.” He told her.

Alf chuckled. Her laughter sounds like the crisp bells ringing.

“Your Highness.” Phyros called as he took Alf’s hand before he placed a necklace on her palm.

“This is…?” Alf asked as she stared at the golden necklace with a red pendant, looking like a heart. Alf’s eyes shone and she reached a finger to touch the red pendant. “It is warm!” she exclaimed in surprise.

Phyros nodded in affirmation. “It has my blood on it.” He told her.

Alf looked at him in surprise. Phyros, her guardian of fire, is the son of the sun and a phoenix. So, his blood is as warm as the sun. So, Alf should have been burned just now. But, Phyros’s blood on the pendant is alive, so it won’t burn Alf.

“The other guardians also have prepared their gifts for you.” Phyros told Alf and turned to look at the other guardians, who are also Alf’s friends.

Griezel, who is a nymph, is the guardian of wind and nature. She is Alf’s best friend. Theos, the guardian of time, is the elder brother of Hores, who is the guardian of the soul. Neid, the guardian of void, is Hores’s lover. Aeious, the guardian of water and space, is a mysterious person. Even if he became Alf’s guardian, Alf still doesn’t know what secrets Aeious is hiding from them. But, as long as Aeious is their ally, then Alf won’t force him to tell them.

But, anyway, even if Aeious is a mystifying person, he has a lover, Tet, who is the guardian of the sky. Tet is also the elder brother of Phyros. Meanwhile, Rayven is the guardian of the earth, and is also the head of the knights. Rayven is like an elder brother to Alf as they grew up together. When everyone thought that Alf and Rayven would get married as Rayven is also a noble, Alf married Phyros while Rayven married Vira, who is an alchemist, or they call a ‘witch’. Even though Vira is a witch, she is a good person and became another best friend of Alf.

“They don’t need to…” Alf muttered.

Phyros cut her off. “But we want to, Your Highness.” He spoke. “We want to do this for you. Aside from celebrating your birthday, we also want to thank you for always caring for all of us.” He explained.

Alf’s eyes widened before it turned red as she suppressed her tears before they could fall. “Thank you…” she said.

Phyros smiled and hugged her. “You are always welcome, Your Highness.” He whispered.

Then, they danced all night, cherishing the moment that they were in each other’s arms. This beautiful and peaceful atmosphere was broken though when they heard a loud voice scream.

“The king was killed!” They heard someone yelling with a voice filled with anger and anguish.

Alf turned and saw her father lying on the floor, covered in blood. “Father!!!!!” she screamed and was about to run to where his father was lying, his blood staining the sparkling floor with its bright red color. But a group of men in black cloaks surrounded her.

Phyros immediately burned them as he pulled her behind him.

“Princess!” Alf heard Rayvan cry. He and the other guardians are running with him, heading towards her and Phyros’s direction.

But suddenly, a devious laugh suddenly filled the hall as the brightly lit torches illuminating the hall became dim until it turned green.

“What happened?! How can the king be killed?” Phyros asked Rayvan and the others as he pacified Alf who was crying in his arms.

The guardians’ faces looked grave. Even they didn’t know what just happened and all they know is that the king already died.

“We don’t know. His Majesty was just laughing with his subjects earlier when we heard the princess’ cry.” Tet, a deity, explained. His face is dark. His golden hair crackled with electricity.

“I can feel His Majesty’s soul has entered the underworld.” Hores, who is the keeper of the underworld, said. His face somber. The skull and bones printed on his dark hooded robe moved in rhythm, indicating that a soul entered the lair of the souls.

“The magic is stronger than mine.” Vira said. Her hands raised as she felt the magic fluctuation around. Her dark red dress is hugging her body like her second skin. “It is dark magic. Only dark magic can overpower the light.” She said and sighed. She is a light wizard and an alchemist.

“Somebody created a separate space.” Neid, a blind noble, said. His dull gray eyes looked at the throne where the king was earlier.

Now, the king’s body is lying on the floor. However, they can’t go near him because a space barrier was erected around the throne.

“The throne was replaced with a replica.” Aeious said. His long and slender fingers are twitching. “Could it be that His Majesty was poisoned before he was stabbed?” he asked.

“I can’t sense the spirits.” Griezel said, her dainty face filled with melancholy. She is a nymph.

“If only I could turn back time…” Theos said through his gritted teeth. His knuckles turned white in anger.

“Who is it?” Rayvan asked when a shadow suddenly swept past them. He immediately drew his sword, pointing to the shadow’s direction.

“It doesn’t matter who I am.” A voice said, echoing around the place. “Your king is now dead.” He said and laughed.

Alf sobbed in grief, her hands holding Phyros’ arms tight. Her body is shaking in fear and anger. “What do you want?!” she asked and turned to where the voice was coming from.

“Revenge!” the voice answered, his voice laced with anger. “A price will be paid! A price will be paid!” the voice said and disappeared.

Then, all the lights were extinguished, making the palace covered in darkness.

Phyros lit up his hand for them to see each other. “Secure the princess’ safety!” he ordered as he held Alf’s hand tight, assuring her. “Let’s find a place to hide the princess – “ he said, his voice still hasn’t fallen when that voice again can be heard.

“You have nowhere to run! Nowhere to hide! A price will be paid!” the voice said, seething in anger and madness.

“Let’s go!” Phyros said and pulled Alf towards the palace’s entrance. The guardians followed behind them.

However, just as they neared it, the doors, along with the windows, all closed in succession. They are trapped inside.

The home where she grew up became a cage that enclosed Alf. Her heart can’t help but beat faster as it was slowly eaten by fear. “Phyros…” she called, her voice small and weak.

“Alf…?” Phyros called when he suddenly felt his hand that was held by the princess suddenly became cold. If it had not been by his fire, his hand would’ve already become an ice block. “Alf!” he called as he hugged her tight, warming her body that’s started to go cold.

“What do we do?” Tet asked after he failed to open the door by his lightning.

“The spirits do not respond…” Griezel said, her ethereal face embraced by sadness.

“We have to get the princess to a safe place!” Rayvan said, his voice firm. He tried manipulating the ground but there’s no change. He turned to Neid. “Neid. Transport the princess far away here. Phyros, you keep her safe. We’ll stay here to find and kill the enemy. We must avenge His Majesty!” he said, seething in rage.

“Yes!” the guardians answered and nodded as they made a circle and Alf, Phyros and Neid in the middle.

“Now I can cut the space here.” Neid said. With the guardians’ presence acting as their barrier, the space around his hand distorted. “Your Highness. Phyros. Go.” He turned and nodded to Alf and Phyros.

“Make sure she is safe.” Theos said.

“I will.” Phyros answered. Carrying Alf, he jumped inside the space created by Neid.

“Your Highness…” Griezel called, her forest green eyes were filled with grief.

“You will never see her again.” The voice suddenly said.

They all sharply turned when they heard the voice nearby. “Where is it – “ they said as they looked around.

It wasn’t known where and when they turned but their eyes suddenly went wide in horror and disbelief of what they saw. They were about to speak and assume their stance. However, before they could move, they felt their breath was slowly extinguished.

Death awaits them inside this darkness.

Outside the forest, by the lake.

The still water reflected the starry dark sky. It was a beautiful sight. However, this beauty unfortunately can’t be appreciated when the space near it fluctuated until it was ripped.

Alf fell on her knees the moment they left the space. “Father…” she called in grief, her hands clutching her painful chest.

“Your Highness…” Phyros called. “Alf.” He knelt down beside her and hugged her tight in his arms. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here. I won’t leave you. We won’t leave you – “ he said as he held her tighter.

“How touching.” A voice said, the same voice from the castle earlier. “Too bad they already left.” He said, referring to the guardians.

Phyros sharply turned. The voice is coming from the forest and is now approaching where they are. He hid Alf behind him as he manifested a flaming sword in his hand. “Show yourself!” he yelled as he swung his sword and a ball of fire flew inside the forest. The fire lit the inside of the forest where it passed, however there was no one in sight.

“Alright.” The voice said coming from nowhere. A figure slowly came out of the forest, it was unknown how. The moon illuminated the surroundings, making the newcomer reveal himself.

Phyros stared at him in horror. “Neid?!” he exclaimed, disbelief in his voice. “You betrayed us!” he gnashed his teeth in anger as he threw the flaming sword to Neid.

Neid waved his hand and a space opened, eating the flaming sword inside. Suddenly, the space next to Phyros’ leg opened and the flaming sword flew out and pierced his leg. Phyros screamed in pain as he fell on his leg.

Neid laughed. “You guardians are all useless.” He said, his smile mocking as he walked towards them.

“You are a guardian yourself!” Phyros said as he was forced to stand and protected Alf from behind him. “You are the princess’ guardian. You vowed to protect her!” he told him.

But his words were ignored. “The others are all dead. It’s your turn next.” Neid told Phyros. “Then – “ he said and looked at Alf. However, his smile froze as his eyes slowly widened in horror.

Phyros felt his heart was eaten by fear. He sharply turned to Alf and felt his heart go cold when he saw her standing behind him, her feet were frozen by ice. “Alf…” he called and immediately grabbed her hand. The ice is crawling from her feet up to her body. Phyros used his flames to thaw the ice but it didn't melt. His face paled as he held her hand tight and hugged her. “Alf… answer me – “ he called as he set his body aflame, trying to thaw the ice again.

“Pft – ahahahaha!” Neid laughed as he held his stomach. “She doomed herself!” he said and pointed to Alf. “Ack – “ he cried when a flame flew inside his mouth. He turned to Phyros in horror as he felt the inside of his body start burning. “You – kah!” he coughed as he tried to spit out the flame but to no avail. He could only fall on the ground, hugging his body while he writhed in pain.

Phyros ignored him and turned to Alf who started to be frozen. “Alf…” he called, his voice soft as he held her cheek. Ice crawled to his flaming hand, putting out the fire. “Alf…” he called, yet no one would answer him. He smiled as he planted a kiss on her cold lips, then closed his eyes as the ice finally covered his body, still holding Alf.

The ice from the two figures crawled towards the ground, then covered the whole kingdom.  

The sun shines in the morning, the moon in the evening while the stars are sparkling in the dark sky. And then the dawn will come to light at the darkest time of the day.