Guardians Book 2, Ch 7: Waking Nightmares

Read all of Book 2: Here

Legion clung to the crystal as if his life depended on it.

“I’m sssorry massster…” he hissed, “I don’t thhhink I underssstood you.”

The crystal vibrated and glowed as it spoke, confirming the Taulaga User’s fears.

“I am coming to Archana.”

“But Massster.” Legion said, “The Guardiansss–”

“Do not refer to those impostors with their stolen titles.” The voice interrupted.

“But they will recognizze you. The Creator will–”

“They will not know. They will not see me. Your march on Areothiel requires a more powerful hand to guide you. I cannot trust you to handle this situation on your own.”

Legion silently cursed and looked at the room they had stationed themselves in. Their army of rilled-up humans had been planning and gathering for the push to the temple of the book for two days now. Why did this need to happen?

“A power as ssstrong as yourssss entering the Great Barrier isss ssssure to give noticcce though!”

“Legion.”

The sound of his name shook him to his core. He felt the bands around his necks constrict, and the airflow cut off. Gagging a bit, he rasped out his response.

“Yesss massster,”

“I have sent the necessary materials ahead of me. They should prove adequate to prolong the effect of the smoke. Keep the Guardians out of Elaganheart until my arrival.”

“Until your arrival, massster?”

“Yes. After I arrive, the reign of Xinar and his pathetic excuses of Guardians will be at an end.”

Esmun stood in a dark hallway. Though he didn’t recognize it, he knew he was still in the temple. Noises of battle raged outside as he crept toward the end of the hallway.

“Mutiny, Mutiny!” voices cried from behind him. Esmun grabbed for his sword but found it missing. Sprinting through the hall, he arrived in a large central room.

Stepping through the doorway, he found the temple in flames. The Temple Guard battled shadows as the flames spread up the walls of the building.

“Guardian Esmun, Help us!”

Esmun looked around in a panic, trying to find the source of the screams. Suddenly a fist came out of the smoke, sending the boy sprawling.

“And finally, the fourth Guardian.” a voice said.

Esmun looked up and saw a figure approaching. Hovering around him was a red, green, and yellow sword, and the Staff of Memories and the Failoga Book were in his hands.

“No..” Esmun muttered.

The figure continued walking towards him. Esmun felt the sharp pain in his stomach again as he returned from the monster.

“Who are you!” he cried.

The figure stood over him and aimed the three swords at his heart. All of them turned red.

And then plunged through his flesh.

“Guardian Esmun!”

A voice jolted the boy awake. Standing over him was Cronulous, shaking him.

“Wh-what?!” Esmun said, sitting up and looking around. His room was the same as when he went to bed, no flames licked the window, and the only voices he could hear were his own and Cronulous’.

“You were screaming, I came in to check on you, and you were having a nightmare. Are you okay?”

Esmun felt his stomach again, expecting to find blood from his wounds.

The nightmares had become more common. He could barely sleep anymore. It was the same story every night and now, even during the day.

A Red sword plunged into his stomach.

It had to mean something.

“I have to speak to the Creator,” he said.

Chapter 8: Coming Soon