Chapter 11: The Trial of the Guardians
806 Words
The six guardians advanced in perfect formation.
Each carried a different weapon.
Sword.
Spear.
Shield.
Twin daggers.
Bow.
Staff.
Their glowing blue eyes remained fixed on the Royal Vanguard.
No anger.
No hatred.
Only duty.
Master Kael stepped forward.
"Hold your positions!"
The Vanguard formed a defensive circle around the rulers and scholars.
No one knew how powerful these ancient warriors truly were.
But one thing was certain.
They had survived for centuries.
---
Without warning, the guardian wielding the spear lunged at Liora.
Its attack was fast.
Far faster than she had expected.
She barely managed to parry it.
The impact sent her sliding several feet across the stone floor.
"What incredible strength..."
The guardian did not pursue.
Instead, it calmly returned to its position.
Almost...
As if it were testing her.
---
At the same moment, the guardian carrying the massive shield charged toward Brakus.
Brakus braced himself.
The collision echoed throughout the chamber.
Neither warrior moved.
For several seconds, they simply pushed against one another.
Then the guardian stepped back.
Its glowing eyes studied Brakus carefully.
"Defensive spirit... acknowledged."
Brakus blinked.
"It... talked?"
---
Across the chamber, Bashan met the sword guardian head-on.
Steel clashed with ancient steel.
The force of the first strike shook the floor beneath them.
Bashan attacked again.
And again.
Every blow was blocked effortlessly.
The guardian's movements were flawless.
No wasted motion.
No openings.
No hesitation.
Bashan smiled despite himself.
"This is incredible."
---
Nearby, Nyx disappeared into the shadows as the dagger guardian searched for her.
Silence filled that corner of the chamber.
Then—
Clang!
A dagger met another dagger behind the guardian.
Nyx had appeared out of nowhere.
The guardian turned instantly.
Their battle became a dance of disappearing shadows.
Even Taren struggled to follow their movements.
---
The bow guardian calmly nocked an arrow.
It fired.
The projectile streaked toward the scholars.
Before anyone could react—
Taren burst forward.
He caught the arrow in midair.
The force dragged him several meters backward before he finally stopped.
He stared at the ancient weapon in disbelief.
"I take back every joke I've made today."
The guardian tilted its head slightly.
"Exceptional speed... confirmed."
---
Meanwhile, Azul faced the final guardian.
The one carrying the ancient staff.
Unlike the others...
It did not attack.
Instead, it slowly circled him.
Its glowing eyes seemed to look beyond his appearance.
Beyond his armor.
Beyond his very soul.
Finally, it spoke.
"Bearer..."
Azul frowned.
"Bearer of what?"
"The blood remembers."
Before anyone could ask what it meant, the guardian gently touched its staff to the floor.
The chamber vanished.
---
Azul found himself standing alone in an endless sea of blue light.
There were no walls.
No statues.
No companions.
Only silence.
"What is this place?"
A familiar voice answered.
"The place where truth cannot be hidden."
Azul turned.
Standing before him...
Was an older version of himself.
His hair was longer.
His armor was scarred.
A royal crown rested upon his head.
Most shocking of all...
His eyes carried an unbearable sadness.
"You..."
The older Azul smiled faintly.
"I am one possible future."
Azul stared in disbelief.
"This isn't real."
"No."
"It is a choice."
The future king looked toward the endless horizon.
"The path ahead is filled with sacrifice."
"You will save kingdoms..."
"But not everyone you love."
Azul felt his heart sink.
"What do you mean?"
Before the future king could answer...
The vision shattered.
---
Back in the chamber, Azul staggered backward.
Bashan caught his shoulder.
"What happened?"
Azul looked around in confusion.
"I..."
"I saw..."
He stopped.
How could he explain something he barely understood?
The staff guardian lowered its weapon.
"Compassion..."
"Confirmed."
One by one, the other guardians stepped away from their opponents.
The sword guardian looked at Bashan.
"Courage... confirmed."
The spear guardian turned to Liora.
"Discipline... confirmed."
The shield guardian nodded to Brakus.
"Resolve... confirmed."
The dagger guardian faced Nyx.
"Instinct... confirmed."
Finally, the bow guardian looked toward Taren.
"Selflessness... confirmed."
The blue glow in their eyes softened.
The six guardians knelt before the Royal Vanguard.
Everyone in the chamber stood frozen.
Even Master Kael was speechless.
The guardian carrying the staff spoke once more.
"For centuries..."
"We have awaited six successors."
"But the final judgment..."
"It is not ours to make."
Slowly, the ancient crown at the center of the chamber began to rise.
Its sapphire crystal shone brighter than ever before.
Then...
A deep voice echoed through the ruins.
Not from the guardians.
Not from the old man.
But from the chamber itself.
"The Seventh has awakened."
The temperature dropped instantly.
The blue light flickered.
One by one...
The guardians turned toward the darkness beyond the chamber.
For the first time in centuries...
They looked afraid.
From somewhere deep within the ruins...
A single pair of crimson eyes opened.
- Writer
