THE ELEMENT GUARDIANS

Chapter 1: The Vision

The Guardians had made a lot of enemies in their fight for justice—enemies that would do anything in their power to control the galaxy. Late one night, Master Topaz was dozing off while studying her scrolls when, out of nowhere, she began to dream. Her stomach dropped as she envisioned an attack on Element, as vivid and clear as if it were happening in real life. She saw the Field of Elements, with its mountains as tall as the European Alps, its curved stone shelter offering protection, and its central pentagram, a source of power for the five Element Guardians chosen to protect it. The attacking army—a battalion of goblinlike hybrid creatures with weapons sharp and hungry—was commanded by a beautiful woman. Master Topaz recognized the army and its leader, notorious throughout the galaxy as raiders of peaceful planets; these were the soldiers of Dark Sky.

Awakening as if pulled by unseen strings, Master Topaz’s wife Valyria instinctively knew that her wife was feeling troubled. When asked what was the matter, Master Topaz told her about the dream, how she had seen the planet Dark Sky’s army, and consequently their defensive plan utilizing the Field of Elements. Because of her superior intelligence and persistent optimism, Valyria was always the first person to provide positive solutions for Master Topaz’s problems. This instance was no different—between the two of them, they made the decision that Master Topaz was to inform Jason, the leader of the Guardians, and let him advise the other Guardians of her dream in the morning.

***

Over the course of early morning training, Master Topaz made up her mind as to how to convey her episode to the Fire Guardian.

She dismissed herself early from the session. “You four go on ahead with your training while I talk to Jason alone.”

In another room, far from the others, Topaz told Jason about the vision she had and warned him to prepare for the worst. Jason was a superb fighter, a large black-haired, black-eyed man who wore robes of blood-red that flickered like a flame, but anfter hearing what Topaz had to say, he felt uncharacteristically uncertain; he had amassed a whole collection of feelings and questions that were going through his head, that he wanted to express. The ones he voiced right away were logical and direct:

“What are we going to do about this vision? How are we going to react to it?”

“I don’t know exactly how we're going to prepare for the attack, but there are some sources of power that I’ve kept secured which may be able to protect you,” responded Master Topaz. “Because you are the leader of the Guardians, I wanted to talk to you before telling the others.”

That night, after a long day of training, Jason went to his room, still thinking about what the master had told him. Some things were easy to understand—he knew they had a source of power that could be used to fight the incoming army. Some of the other thoughts that were running through his head were harder to answer—like whether they would make it out alive. Who was going to survive, and who was not? And most of all, how was he going to tell the other Guardians?

***

The next morning, after a fitful sleep, Jason went to go see Topaz. When he got to the temple, Topaz was already there waiting for him.

“So, have you made a decision whether or not to tell the others?”

“Yes, I have, Master Topaz, and I have decided that it is better that I do not spread fear of what is coming until you show me the source of the power you mentioned. I believe it’s for the best.”

“I agree,” said Master Topaz.

“So, you said that you had some kind of power that may help us in this upcoming battle?” asked Jason.

“Well, actually, there are two powers that may help us. I was waiting for you to digest my weird dream before I told you about other one. The second source of power is a kind of weapon.”

“Wait, but where is the first source of power?” Jason asked.

“To get to it we must go to it,” replied Master Topaz. “The power is in a field called the Field of Elements. It’s, according to my dream, where the enemy is due to arrive.”

Jason frowned. “If that’s where the army is going to show up, isn’t the power source in danger?”

“No,” was the reply. “The power can only be seen by Element Guardians. It’s hidden by a veil of mist that only I and you Guardians can see through.”

“So how do we get to this field?”

Master Topaz waved her hand. “I’ll create a travel symbol. All we have to do is visualize our location, and it will take us there.”

***

Immediately anfter the travel symbol was made, it started glowing gold. That was Jason and Topaz’s cue to step onto the symbol and visualize the Field of Elements—although it was difficult for Jason, who had never been there. When they got to the field, he finally got his first look at it. He was particularly interested in the huge curved stone, which looked like a tent to be used as protection against an oncoming enemy.

“So, where is this source of power?” asked Jason. Topaz lifted the veil that was covering the pentagram. When Jason saw it, he was surprised—he felt a connection with it instantly. “How long has this been here?”

“I put it here as a protective measure after I recruited you five Guardians.”

“So how is this supposed to help us in the upcoming battle?”

“Any Element Guardian who stands on it will be able to harness a unique fighting style, as well as enhanced element ability.”

“Shouldn’t we leave this place?” Jason was eager to tell the others. “Let’s gather the Guardians before you show us the second source of power.”

“Yes, I think we’ve stayed here long enough. No need to let our enemies find this place,” said Topaz.

***

When Jason came back with the others, he found Master Topaz sitting at a round table in the library, where she informed the other Guardians about what she had already told him. When she was done, they all had the same reaction that Jason had had. But after the initial shock had passed, each remarked upon how they should have been told sooner. When all the bickering was resolved, Topaz turned the subject to the second source of power, the weapons.

“What does this second source of power have to do with what you just told us?” asked Quester, the Guardian of Metal. He was not a man to be trifled with, muscle-bound and handy with a blade, and he was still perturbed that he hadn’t been privy to Jason and Topaz’s conversation the day before.

“In order to defeat the Dark Sky army, you will need it to increase your power,” said Topaz. “I contacted a close scientist friend of mine, with whom I secured this second source of power, these weapons.”

“Who is this friend of yours?” asked Dave, the Wood Guardian. He was skeptical of any weapon he hadn’t carved with his own two hands.

“His name is Master Ribbit,” responded Master Topaz. “I met him years ago on an expedition to a temple dedicated to a group of students known as the Frog People. He’s an old red-eyed treefrog, and that was his temple, deep in the rainforest. We both learned so much from each other back then. When I brought this team together, I knew that one day I would have to resort to his help again. Before I left his temple, I entrusted him with weapons that will aid you five Guardians in this upcoming battle. I gave him the Element Swords.”