Guardians Book 1,Ch 11: Legion

Read All of Book 1: Here

It was dawn when the Guardians arrived in Elaganheart Harbor, the sun casting its golden rays through the black shadows of the buildings and ships, casting long shadows across the landscape. Esmun passed out Changits Elixirs to the other Guardians, plugged his nose, and downed the drink.

“Ok,” Fremont said, “three hours until we lose this effect, and the Guardians are suddenly in the middle of Elaganheart Harbor, so we need to find this Legion Character before that happens.”

The others nodded, leaving the rickety old wagon they entered the old town. A musty fish smell filled the air, and the noise of shouting men and banging wood, ships coming from and going to the far corners of Archana sat in the docks, being loaded up with supplies or unloaded of materials. The Guardians watch as dozens of men rush back and forth on the wooden docks and the cobblestone streets, driving animals and carrying shipping containers.

“it’s a lot busier than I would have expected.” Bao said, “it’s the off-season for trade on this side of the country.”

He was right. Most of the products produced in this area of the country were out of season, which usually meant that the general hustle and bustle of the Harbor would probably slow down for a while. This much activity is a strange sight for this year.

“That’s not what we are here for, we’ll make a note of it to Creator Xinar, but we have a time limit, let’s go,” Esmun said.

The other Guardians nodded and began to weave their way through the crowd of workers and down the narrow streets of Elaganhart. Esmun looked around the bustling streets, searching for anything that may seem out of place.

“The people we questioned all agreed that they could see the shore at the end of the streets, but beyond that, they didn’t remember,” Warinot said

“Or didn’t want to tell us,” Bao responded.

“I’m still just uncomfortable with the number of ships that are here,” Esmun said, looking around nervously.

“guys,” Fremont said. He gestured at some workers who had stopped what they were doing to look at them. Then he tapped the side of his head.

“Keep Guardian business in the Cerebell.” His voice rang out in Esmun’s Head.

“Smart,” Warinot thought.

The Guardians continued their trek through the dense city. Searching for anything that seemed out of place. Looking up and down the different side streets, Esmun froze.

Tall Buildings loomed on either side of the long, narrow street. At the end, dark blue water lapped on the sides of the shore and an old wooden dock. Around halfway down the road, a door opened to a nearly pitch-black doorframe.

“There.” Esmun thought.

“There? How do you know.” Bao countered.

“Trust me, I just know,” Esmun said, blocking out the images from last night’s nightmares from his mind. The other Guardians fell in behind him as he walked down the street. Every step felt like lead was piling up in his shoes. He silently hoped that he was wrong, that Legion was somewhere else.

Turning into the doorway. The four entered the darkroom. It was an empty warehouse with tall ceilings and a large open room. Piled high on both sides of the room was a massive pile of crates, and in the center was a low wooden table with a single lantern casting shadows around the room.

Warinot walked over to one crate and took out his sword, sticking it between the lid and the container. He pried it open.

Packed neatly in the box were four golden sacrificial orbs, each one secured with paper and other packing materials.

“This seems almost professional!” Bao exclaimed.

“Are all these boxes Taulaga Artifacts?” Fremont asked. As soon as he said it, All the Guardians felt their stomachs drop. If these crates were filled with these sacrificial artifacts, this problem would be way more extensive than they thought.

“What do we do?” Esmun asked aloud. The others stared blankly at him until a voice answered.

“Well, firsst of all, you could knock.”

Spinning around, the Guardians drew their weapons and pointed them at the source of the noise. A man in long dark robes and a hood entered the warehouse as they talked. His yellow reptilian eyes stared out from the grey skin peeking through the material of his mask and hood.

“Legion, I assume,” Fremont said.

“Ffremont, Warinot, Bao, and Essmun,” Legion responded, “Welcome to my warehouse. I was just unpacking a shipment.”

Esmun cast a worried glance at the others, who grimaced at the mention of yet another set of boxes.

“Where are you getting these from?” Bao demanded.

“Oh, wouldn’t you like to know?” Legion taunted.

“Don’t make us hurt you Legion, give us the information we want and come quietly, and nobody will be hurt,” Fremont said.

“Counter offer,” Legion said, “leave now, and all four of you escape with your lives.”

“And if we don’t?” Esmun said.

“Oh, I’m sure at least one of you will live to tell the tale, SSHADO!” Legion Called

Suddenly Bao’s shadow shifted, and a black mass rose from the floor. Gripping a pure black sword, the creature grabbed Bao and put its sword to his throat. Bao yelped as the black haze emitting from the monster blinded him. Red eyes formed in the otherwise blank face, and the pitch-black mouth curled into a smile.

“Guardians, Big fan, I’ve heard all the stories.” it hissed.

The other Guardians took a step back, lowering their weapons.

“What are YOU?” Warinot exclaimed.

“This is my ssubordinate, Shadomancer” Legion said, stepping towards the four boys, “he keeps an eye on our business and the people who wish to end it.”

Esmun’s eyes widened as the scenes of his dream flashed through his head.

“They’re coming this way. They should be here by morning. Should we move?” one asked.

“You!” Esmun muttered.

“Now. Drop your weapons, or the yellow one will get Red all over him.” Shadomancer said. The other Guardians lowered their weapons, and Legion stepped forwards to collect them.

“You’ve been following us since the prison!” Esmun said.

“Very Clever Blue,” Shadomancer said with a chuckle, “if only you had been able to recognize that before.”

Legion picked up the Red Sword; Esmun’s breath caught in his chest as he remembered the floating sword of his nightmares. He had to do something. He had to stop this before the monster killed them all.

Picking up yet another part of his dream, he blurted out.

“Who is doing all of this? Who is the Dark..” His mind swam for a second. He had never heard the full name, “who is the Dark Creator.”

Legion froze. With a clang, Fremont’s sword fell to the ground. Shadomancer looked up from Bao, his sword falling a little.

“How do you know that title?” Legion asked.

“How does Blue know?” Shadomancer asked.

“Now!” Fremont called. Bao kicked backward, hitting the monster in the legs. He bent down and lurched forward into a front roll, pressing it to the ground. Fremont, Esmun, and Warinot snatched their swords, Bao and Fremont pointed their swords at Shadomancer, Bao stepping on its arm to pin down the black blade, Esmun got low to sweep out Legion’s legs. However, when his leg made contact, it was stopped dead in its tracks.

“I got to stop trying that,” Esmun muttered. Legion grabbed the boy by the leg and threw him over his shoulder.

“I’ve changed my mind.” He hissed, “None of you get to leave.”

Rushing at Esmun, he drew a small black blade from his cloak. Jumping at the boy, he slashed at his chest. Esmun lept back and started fighting. Blocking each strike with his sword and countering.

Suddenly Bao yelped in surprise. Esmun turned to see Shadomancer disappear into the floor. Connecting to the room’s shadows, the black silhouette of the monster leaped across the floor. His arm popping out of the ground or the walls, slashing at the Guardians.

“We need light!” Warinot shouted.

Bao looked at the small lantern flickering on Legion’s desk. Esmun gulped as he saw the Yellow Guardians’ eyes light up. But he was distracted as Legion grazed his arm with the black knife.

The dim light in the room grew brighter as Bao smashed the lantern against the crates.

“You IDIOT!!!” Legion shouted. Jumping into the air, he stomped down on Esmun’s shoulders, driving him to his knees, then ran at Bao. Shadomancer’s silhouette looked to the left and right at the fading shadows. Then lept up the shadows of the crate and slipped out the window. Esmun hurried to the door. But the monster was gone, becoming one with the dark shadows of the street.

Legion battled Bao and Fremont.

“Shado, you coward,” he muttered as more and more crates caught flame. He cast a worried glance at the igniting artifacts. Then raced for the back room that he came from.

“After him!” Fremont called. The Four Guardians burst into the small back room.

And nobody was there.

“That’s impossible.” Warinot muttered, “there’s no exit.”

The Guardians searched the room. Esmun knocked a small tower of boxes over and looked behind them. There on the ground were Legions robes, discarded on the floor.

“that’s…strange.”

“Aviat Elixer.” Esmun muttered, “he turned into a bird.”

“wouldn’t there be a glass bottle here as well then?” Fremont asked.

The answer never came. As the last crate caught fire in the warehouse, an explosion rocked the foundation of the building. Multicolored flames spurted from the melting artifacts. Quickly consuming the massive area.

The Guardians gave one quick panicked look at each other as more explosions erupted from the flaming room beside them.

“Ah, oops,” Bao said.

Fremont drew his red sword and held it up. The tip of the blade wavered slightly in the sky as he muttered his request. Putting it back, he turned and punched the stone wall behind him. It crumpled as it was made out of gravel, and the Guardians ran into the late morning air.

Turning around, they caught the warehouse collapsing beneath the flames. Luckily a group of men prevented the Taulaga-Fueled-Fire from spreading to any adjacent warehouses. The Four slunk into the alleys of Elaganheart Harbor, escaping the growing crowd. Esmun felt a crunch beneath his feet as he accidentally stepped on a grey snake.

“Sorry little guy,” he muttered as they all hurried away. Looking back at the injured animal, he saw a second one come and curl around it, dragging it into the alleyway.

Oops.

Guardians Book 1 Finale: here