10 History: The Guardians

Outside the world known as Ustrion a pressure built. It grew slowly overtime as an ancient being searched. The being grew closer as it picked up traces of its missing siblings. It had been searching for so long that it had lost all track of time, but it was not concerned that too much time had passed. There was no danger of its siblings dying. Rather, their disappearance was a mystery. It did not understand what would make them leave for so long without attempting to make contact with their family. However, it was determined to find out.

Eventually, the creature sensed both its siblings and tore its way through space itself to reach them. It found itself looking down on a small world and could clearly sense that both of them were there. As soon as the creature tore open its gate in space a signal went out across the world stopping six individuals in their tracks. They waited patiently after feeling it, and one by one were pulled to a different location.

They found themselves in a prepared room full of weapons, armor, and chests. Each individual moved with a purpose to their respective areas. Without doing more than nodding at their peers, they dressed quickly in worn, but expertly maintained sets of armor. As they finished, they moved to the center of the room. The moment the last arrived in the circle that marked the room's center a woman touched a gem that was set in the formation. In response to the touch they were pulled again. This time they appeared on a flat plain and quickly arrayed themselves around Lonn, Mara, and a teenage boy. Lonn wore the same carefully prepared armor that he had since the first invasion and ignored the arrival of his guardians. Instead of greeting them he focused on sensing into the distance. Mara wore tight red and white breeches with a matching blouse. The teenage boy wore black armor, but no helmet. The boy was not even close to finished growing, but he was already the tallest of the group.

"There is a major city six miles to the east. There are farm villages to the north and south. The direction of battle will be West. We will use battle set three. Questions? No? Good. Move." Mara succinctly briefed the assembled guardians as Lonn continued watching the horizon.

In response to Mara's orders, Igor, Glen and Colm took off towards the city together. Serana and Erika moved to the North, while Tiffany and Valtor moved to the south. Mara stayed where she was and put her hand on Lonn's shoulder.

"Be careful love." She implored Lonn affectionately.

"I will be Mara. Watch little Rob. I don't want him trying to get involved." Lonn responded in a soft, caring voice.

"Master, I am strong. I can help." Robert protested Lonn's instructions instantly.

"No, not yet, you are only sixteen. In a few hundred years you will be ready. Today is not then. Mara take him please." Lonn spoke firmly to Robert, but his voice returned to a gentle tone as he addressed his wife.

"Of course, come with me Rob. We will watch from the sky."

Rob put an arm around Mara's neck and brilliant wings took form at her back. Mara shot into the sky while the sky let out a crack in celebration of her speed. Lonn remained on the ground and watched as a smooth tear appeared two hundred meters in front of him. A clawed hand slipped through and tore it open. In that manner, a new monster battled its way into the world.

Standing proudly, it continued its search for its siblings. However, as it was still examining its surroundings Lonn exploded into motion. He appeared above the creature and slammed his spear through it. The beast responded by letting out a pained roar and an accompanying blast of energy. It erupted from the creature in a visible wave that moved so violently that the air crackled and burned.

Lonn appeared far away from the blast only to slip back towards the monster as the wave spread from it. Lonn watched it ripple away, bemused. Without giving the creature any indication of his plan Lonn flickered back to it. He gripped the spear that was still embedded in the creature's shoulder. As he touched it, an explosion ripped a hole in the creature. The attack was a blend of air and lightning that spun, shredded, and severed. The creature waved its massive hands towards the comparatively small Lonn. The attack was driven by instinct as opposed to intelligence, but the still swung with force and accuracy. The speed required Lonn to slip away once more.

Lonn landed a short distance away and watched as the creature stared dumbly at its empty hands. As the creature came to terms with the fact that Lonn had once again avoided it, the creature's body began to reform. The gaping hole that had destroyed two ribs and one of the creature's lungs pulled itself closed. Before Lonn could process the shocking speed that the creature healed at, the wound was already gone. The only evidence of the blow was the missing hair from its chest. Lonn's eyes narrowed and he attacked again.