Off to save the world

Upon returning to the Demon Realm, Tempus stormed into the guardians' tower, without a wink of hesitation.

"Alright." He said to the other guardians who eagerly waited for his return. The three of them were undergoing their own training and were excited to fight.

"What happened?" Ifer asked, waking up from his midday nap.

Tempus explained the origins of the catalysts to them and also told them the whereabouts of the missing catalyst. They all sat listening and decided what the best plan of attack would be.

"So, we split up. Mane, Ifer, and Sagitta. You three will go and find the missing catalysts whilst I stay here to protect the vault."

"Wait, don't you want to hear the results of the vote? Wouldn't you want to know if they voted against us?" Sagitta said.

"No need. I'm confident we have their support."

"I see…"

"So, do we all understand?" Tempus said explaining everything again.

"Of course," Ifer said. "We should leave as soon as possible. We don't know if the enemy also knows the location."

"I am EXCITED!" Mane exclaimed already finished packing for his trip with a bag that was almost as big as him.

"Good," Tempus said releasing a sigh of relief. "I know it's selfish for me to ask you to fight my battles, but I'm thankful."

"Selfish?" Ifer said. "We all bear the same responsibility. We are the four guardians. Not the one guardian."

Tempus smiled and Ifer's joke as he said his goodbyes before handing them one last gift.

"Drink this when you get to your destination," Tempus said handing over a red vile containing some strange smelly liquid. "It will make you look like a human so you won't get weird looks."

The three guardians began their journey with Tempus watching them from the tower as they split up outside the walls to the demon realm.

"You seem rather relaxed, Master Tempus," Thorit said watching him from behind.

"I believe they will succeed. They have to. Eventually, the battle will come back to me, so I have to be prepared."

"I see. By the way, Master Tempus? Would you like to know the results of the vote?"

# # #

Simultaneously, around the world, the nations all received the final total for the vote, the day before Tempus returned to the demon realm.

"Hmm, hmm. I see." In the nation of the mermaids, the guardians of the ocean. Princess Ebba the second, sat on her throne. Talking to herself.

"I was right to vote for them. Mane had helped me in the past, and I wish to see him again someday. Maybe that day will come quickly, I wonder if he will come to protect our treasure?"

# # #

The Harpies which housed a tiny island floating above the skies received news of the voting.

"Those guardians won the vote!" Volial the harpy leader sat in her tower, looking down on those below.

"I guess this is ok… I was against it but seeing as everyone else is agreeing I can't complain. Don't you just hate democracy?"

# # #

"Sire. Did you hear the news?" A knight of the king announced to the man that sat upon the most powerful throne in the world.

"Of course!" His voice boomed. "I cannot object to this decision."

"Yes, sir."

"I must say." The most powerful man said standing up from his throne causing the world to tremble at his feet. "The world has come a long way since that day. As I cannot have a say, I feel as if they forget about me."

# # #

"I don't understand. My king?! Why would you vote in favour of those demons?" Merlin said begging in front of Arthur's skull-ridden throne. Every part of his throne was made out of a different bone. King Arthur takes a bone as a prize for winning his battles, most of the time he took the skull.

"Do you see that Murlin?" Arthur said as gently breathed out. "It is rather cold today."

"Indeed it is, my king… I still don't understand-"

"Perhaps, it is the rain and thunder that surrounds these lands that made it this cold." Arthur interrupted to which Merlin couldn't reply.

"I wonder what those demons will do?" Arthur said pulling a sword out from the ground that glowed with green blood forged into its blade. "Do you think they will win?"

"I… I don't know," Merlin replied as he slowly moved back towards the door.

"Uncertainty?" Arthur said. "I see… What a shame."

Arthur threw his sword towards Murling who stood still with fear. The sword barely missed his face, creating a small cut on his cheek.

"I trust you Merlin, but why won't you trust me?" Arthur said.

"I-i do trust you… I just-"

"I just what?" Arthur interrupted.

"I don't think we should leave it to those demons," Merlin said standing tall.

"I see. That is a personal matter, but this is politics, Merlin. If we left it alone, what will happen to this world? Will we all die? I only wish to get involved when I need to. I much prefer leaving this matter to those I do not care about. Besides..." Arthur stopped himself, "Actually, never mind..."

"I see…" Merlin said. "I apologise for my comments. I shall leave you be for the night."

Merlin turned around and quickly walked out the door, shutting it behind him, leaving Arthur alone in a dark isolated room.