2 My Partner In Crime

"So, we went a hundred years into the future or the past?" asked Nova, her face seemingly disappointed at the trip.

"Past, where the last sweep from the Barren Pillars took place. They won't know you, but they'll recognise me. And by the way, what's up with your expression? Didn't enjoy the hop through? Not comfy enough for a princess?" asked Raiyen, giving a small tap on the princess's forehead.

"Didn't expect it to be that boring, that's all," she murmured.

"Like I said, I'm no time traveller. I have no time machine, only me and my element. So don't expect me to pick you up in a blue box and head to Valokia," explained Raiyen, walking towards the stone entrance. With a hundred years into the future or past, the layout should still remain the same, that is, if the kingdom didn't get ransacked too harshly.

"Is that another planet? Can we go?"

"I'm not a Space Mage," said Raiyen, finally dragging the girl out into the open. Just as they left the vicinity of the castle, they were greeted by the fierce and bold footsteps of the shining armoured giants of the Pentacle Arks, the Barren Pillars' strongest division; the Guardians.

"They are huge!" gasped the poor princess. Royalty and title meant nothing against these giants. They loomed over the duo, inching forwards with their massive legs.

"What do we do now? Shall I use my powers?" asked Nova, who got ready to strike.

"Are you kidding? You don't stand a chance against them. They aren't just any old Knight in shining armour, they are guardians. Their magical resistance is higher than most First Rate Mages. They might just deflect your Memory attack back at you."

"So are you going to fight them?"

"Their boss is my friend, my partner in crime," he said, smiling.

"What's a boss?"

"I am," said a voice from the guardian's shoulders. A teen girl, about the same built as Nova, leapt down and onto the ground before the duo.

"Winged Girl!" yelled Raiyen, opening his arms wide.

"Time Boy!" replied the girl, jumping straight into the Time Mage's arms.

"Partners, eh?" asked Nova, with a cheeky smirk.

"Who's the memory person?" asked the woman, dressed in a battle suit that was unfamiliar towards Nova. The two had showdown in staring. The Winged Girl was the first to break the awkward silence.

"Mavislin Roydon, I'm in charge of these big fellas," said Mavislin, patting one of the guardians' legs. The Memory Princess remained silent.

"Hmm, not of your time, eh? A hundred years too early for you to be here," explained Mavislin, grinning at the girl.

"Nova Orlaith," replied the Princess.

"Sounds familiar," mumbled Mavislin.

"I'll give you a little tip here, Royal One. Whatever you do, don't piss her off. If you think those fellas by her side are formidable, then you should be very scared at the person who trained each and everyone of them. Got that?" warned Raiyen, placing a hand on the royal girl's shoulder.

"How can such a small person train those giants!?" questioned Nova, looking at Mavislin in disbelief.

"Like I said, don't piss her off. If you think the giants are First Rate Mages, then she's a few levels above them."

"Raiyen, lunch is back at home. Baldwin has made our club sandwich. I'll be continuing in my sweep through this kingdom. Princess Orlaith, nice meeting you. I shall proceed on in raiding your empire now. Good day," said Mavislin, hopping onto a giant's shoulder.

"Well, that was one quick greeting. Why didn't you tell her about the Corrupted practises we encountered?" asked Nova, tilting her head in confusion.

"Spoilers for her. If she knew, you wouldn't have been born or had existed at all. The punishments by the Barren Pillars are not a handful to be messed with. The worse part is that the giants aren't the ones dealing the punishments. Their boss does. One small spell from hers can decimate an entire village if she's in the mood for it. Same goes for the rest of the Founders of The Pentacle Arks."

"A hundred years in the past, are we in the middle of the Hundred Years War?" asked Nova as they weaved their way to a clearing.

"Not really, about three years more towards the end of that war. Year 1450, Peru is known for child sacrifices, about a hundred. The human race, killer of their own kind. Another revolt at England's side against Old Henry and a monarch from far is assassinated. Better than that archduke, 464 years later," rambled Raiyen, as he tried to recall all that was occurring.

"Why are you talking to yourself? And the things you don't make sense at all," complained Nova.

"Time Mage that has travelled across Time itself, there is bound to be some setbacks."

"One of which is not making sense?"

"I'm making perfect sense, you just can't keep up. Ah! Home at last," yelled Raiyen as he dashed towards the mini castle.