THE ELEMENT GUARDIANS

Chapter 2: The Power Source

The next morning, Master Ribbit arrived at the temple, bringing with him the Element Swords. The Guardians and Master Topaz were waiting for him outside the doors of their temple. Once the old frog arrived, the Guardians introduced themselves, entirely unaware that in front of them stood the greatest scientist in the galaxy.

They all dined together that night; Valyria had prepared an excellent dinner for them all. During the meal, Master Topaz filled Master Ribbit in on the information that she had already told the Guardians about. When Valyria made she present, she listened as her wife continued to regale Master Ribbit. At times, when Master Topaz paused, Valyria interjected with some of her own beneficial dialogue. The Guardians waited until anfter Master Ribbit understood what he had to work with before unleashing their curiosity about the Element Swords.

“How are these swords going to help us in this battle?” asked Sea Breeze. The Guardian of Water had the regal air of an Egyptian pharaoh, the light blue silk of his robes standing out against smooth, dark skin.  

“These swords will help increase your power and boost your fighting skills,” responded Master Ribbit. “It is important to add that each of you needs to choose a special type of ability.”

“How do we know which type we should choose?” asked Jason.

“That’s what each of you will need to figure out as I train you to use the swords,” said Master Ribbit.

***

      The next morning, the training began. Master Ribbit met them at the temple’s well-used training area. To their collective chagrin, he handed each Guardian a wooden sword.

“These aren’t the real swords,” said Dan, the Earth Guardian. The blade in his hand looked more like the harmless swords his two daughters would train with than the legendary weapon of Element’s chosen heroes.

“I’ll send you all on a quest to obtain the real ones once you have mastered these wooden ones,” said Master Ribbit matter-of-factly.

“How are we supposed to work these wooden things?” asked Quester in frustration. He was an expert swordsman, of course, but he was accustomed to fighting with only the most cutting-edge gadgets.  

“I suppose that’s something we’ll need to figure out while training,” Dave told him. The Wood Guardian was the only member of the group who didn’t mind his new sword; the craftsmanship was admirable.

“Dave is correct. I already told you that your individual fighting skills are the first thing that needs to be figured out,” said Master Ribbit. “Now, as for learning how to work these wooden swords, your element powers are at the core of what makes you Guardians.”

“Well, then maybe Dave will be able to fight with these, but what are the rest of us supposed to do?” asked Quester. 

“Use your element powers and then channel your power through the wood.”

***

Over the next few weeks, the Guardians trained harder than ever. The greatest reward was that through these heavy drills, they were able to figure out some new battle strategies they could use to combat the army from Master Topaz’s vision. Master Ribbit was pleased to hear how the Guardians planned for what was to come.

One morning, as the Guardians started training, Master Topaz told Master Ribbit she needed to speak to him alone in a secret chamber. Once the door had shut behind them, Master Topaz began:

“Do you think that they are ready for the real swords?”  

“I believe that they are,” said Master Ribbit.

“Good, because I had another vision about the Dark Sky army. This one gave me the date and time of their arrival.”

“When is it?” Master Ribbit asked.

“They will be here in just two years’ time. Do you think you can send each Guardian on their separate quest soon?”  

“I can do it as early as tomorrow,” Master Ribbit responded. “I can create the individual journeys for them tonight and send them out tomorrow in the early morning. It will be the perfect test of their courage and ability.”

“Great, then on that note, I bid you good luck in preparing the Guardians’ missions,” said Master Topaz, placing a hand on the old frog’s shoulder. “It has been really good to have you here.”

That night, Master Ribbit departed for five different geographical regions of the planet. There he placed each real Element Sword in a location where only a Guardian could find it.

***

Upon his return from his one-night journey around the world, Master Ribbit met the Guardians at the training area of the temple in the early morning.

“Guardians, the time has come for you five to find your real Element Swords. Master Topaz has warned me that the army is coming sooner than we expected. That is why she’s given me the task of sending you off separately to find the real swords. Show us what you have learned in your training now, because the remaining time left after you find these weapons will be used to prepare for war.”

“How are we going to find these real swords?” Quester asked.  

“Use your element powers to help guide you, as well as your animal guardians,” explained Master Ribbit. “Once any of you have found your sword, I’ll be able to beam you back into a temple located in a safe galaxy.”

“Where is this temple?” asked Dave.

“You won’t be able to know, even after you obtain your swords. It will only reveal itself once the last sword is retrieved,” responded Master Ribbbit. “Your animal guardians will lead you there.” Dave nodded confidently. His animal guardian was an eagle brought to life from white oak, and no creature had sharper eyes.

“How will you track us?” asked Jason.

“Through this!” Master Ribbit snapped his webbed fingers and a map appeared where they were standing. “Once a sword has been found, the element symbol that represents you will glow and form an arrow leading to a travel symbol that will take you back here. So get going! Got a lot of roads to cover and not much time. But worry not—you have all mastered your