While Wayde initiated his move by reuniting the family, the Flash Guardians kept themselves busy as well at their campsite on the side of Mt. Pike. Erik Vortecse and Giuseppe Stargayzer went inside the lab tent for the report.
“Is there a new status?” asked Erik.
One guardian scientist approached them both and nodded, “Yes, Sir Erik. This way please.” The scientist had led them into a room where the short wooden sword was floating on top of the table. At each corner, other scientists were interacting with the user interface of the large holograms.
“The short wooden sword became quite delicate, so we had to be gentle with it. Regardless, it was still a miracle how it’s still in one piece,” explained the scientist. “Till this time of day, the magical energy surrounding it hasn’t worn off yet.”
Giuseppe slowly approached the table and leaned closer to see the tiny flames crackling at the carved runes. “Bloody fucking hell,” he muttered. “The Darken seer possesses great knowledge to carve something like this.”
“You’re damn right.” Erik walked and stood beside him, eyes locked on to the floating short wooden sword. “When I read her mind, that’s when I knew she’s the real shit. There is no doubt that she thoroughly made her research to specifically give this to him.”
Giuseppe asked. “Have you read the boy’s mind?”
Erik nodded, “He’s taking things quite well since Wayde was there.”
Abruptly, the short wooden sword began to twitch. The two guardians backed away as soon as the weapon popped out into several pieces with a flash. Erik used his forearm as a cover. “Whoa.”
Giuseppe looked at the scientist. “Well, I guess it’s not in one piece anymore.”
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Dreyagon could use a nice relaxation. Listening to the life of nature brought him peace, but his dream was not. Though the flashing images were vague, the sound was crystal clear: clashing of swords, dragons fire breathing, his voice unleashing the powerful roar, distant yelling, and a woman’s voice calling to him.
He jolted and opened his eyes from the soft sound of the grass. Every slumber, he couldn’t forget, the only way for him to keep going is to move forward, just what she had told him long ago. Dreyagon continued to hear soft rustles from the grass as someone was walking toward him. “Wayde and the boy are at the Meadow Orphanage by now,” said the voice of Eric. “He already sent word as they’ll move forward to Etheron Flash Guardian Academy by tomorrow.”
Dreyagon grumbled deeply.
“Our reports had analyzed what's left within the boy’s magic,” Erik added. “And holy shit, it could exceed yours.”
While eyes closed, the slayer finally spoke, “There is always a ‘but’ when it comes to you, Erik.”
Erik looked down, nodding at the fact Dreyagon knew him quite well. “But you can tell it too, right? His awakening went all out and gave Devastrigon a hell of a beating. Due to that-”
“He was not himself,” Dreyagon interjected. “He trusted his senses so much his instincts were increased, but then it ceases as the boy couldn’t control the sudden power that he awakened.”
Erik paused for a moment before saying, “I was about to say he wasn’t used to overloading his powers, but… yeah, something like that too. With the Flash Guardians, it’s easy to say he’ll use his powers for good. But with you, he can be taught how to control his powers.”
Dreyagon opened his eyes and stood up to see Erik.
Despite his age, the slayer was still jacked with muscles now that he only wore his sleeveless vest on top. “But first… I must go to her.”
Erik nodded, “Understood. They still have open arms to you, you know? They couldn’t stop wondering when you’ll come back… she… had never stopped wondering.”
The slayer looked up to the bright sky and turned his back on Erik, but he did slightly look at the guardian one more time. “She’ll soon find out.”
And just like that, Erik watched Dreyagon as the slayer leaped with such strength, he flew right straight into the white clouds within a few seconds. “There he goes,” he muttered. “Broken armor and weapons as usual. Damn old man needs an upgrade.”
At his communicator, Nisr spoke, “Erik, Giuseppe said you’re thinking what he’s thinking.” Walking back to camp, Erik searched the mind of Stargayzer.
After reading telepathically, he grinned, “Well, I’ll be damned. Claes is going to love this.”
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Inside their very tent, Erik Vortecse and his team gathered at a round table to see the holograms of what appeared to be none other than teenagers.
Erik leaned on the table. “So these are the newcomers?”
Giuseppe looked at Erik and the team, “These are the only newcomers.”
“But,” Yrlin shook her head. “They’re just… four of them.”
Beside the witch guardian stood Nisr, arms crossed. “Not just a four of them, I heard from my fellas back at the Etheron Flash Guardian Training Ground that these four specific teens were selected for special training at the academy. And the best part? They are scheduled to go there tomorrow, the same day as Mr. Wayde and the kid.”
Hugo titled his head. “Do you mean that the boy will be learning and training alongside these newcomers?”
Nisr snapped his finger before his hand pointed at the storm summoner. “Exactly.”
Jorken tossed his arms. “I don’t get it. Why can’t the boy learn and train exclusively just for him? We saw his powers through the recordings. I’m confident that Dreyagon can teach him a few, you know?”
Standing beside the tall elf-orc was Willy the elf, who had to snap his neck up high to look at him. “I get where you’re getting at, big guy, but remember: he’ll be a Flash Guardian, work alongside the others, just like what the prophecy the Darken seer had shared.”
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“Oh yeah.” Jorken looked up. “She was so creepy that I forgot what she said to Erik. Glad we won’t see her for a while.”
Erik shifted his focus to the holograms individually. “Giuseppe, what do we have here?”
“Glad you asked.” Giuseppe gestured as the holograms focused on the girl. She was recorded writing her notebook, training with a dagger, and playing an instrument with a lyre. The girl had a braided bright orange ponytail, pale skin, and blue eyes. All trainees in the training ground were required to wear the trainee uniform: a white shirt, brown jogging pants, and flexible, sporty rubber shoes. So it’s no surprise, but not unwelcomed as she was wearing one. “Her name is Chloriette Voirgeese. Age sixteen. There are not many records of the Voirgeese family, but as far as we know, she only lives with her grandmother at Shore City, who is a retired marine biologist. She can sing tunes, which can grant her some kind of command spell. The record showed her singing to a random bully, so he can jump straight into the mud, sang to call a griffin, and has this special lyre that can magically appear.”
“Sheesh, If it ain’t that somethin’?” Yrlin clicked his tongue.
The next hologram was a boy, but his physique was almost the same as Jorken’s. He had fair skin, a dark brown quiff haircut, and brown eyes. The holograms showed him running on what appeared to be a challenging obstacle course, lifting weights, and punching boulders with his fists. “This is Victorious Barelock Jr.,” continued Giuseppe. “Age sixteen. He prefers to be called Victor for short. We all have met the Barelock family and what they’re known for: monster hunters, since the time of Dracula. They possess immeasurable strength and trained their mental focus. He currently resides with his family at the Barelock Stronghold in Highfar Valley.”
Jorken muttered, “All this fella needs is to have the power of shape-shifting.”
The hologram moved on to another boy, but shorter than the previous one. Platinum short hair with his bangs dropped almost to his sky blue eyes, like the first girl, he shared the same pale skin. It showcased him reading a book, mixing potions, and chanting spells that no other spell-caster trainees had done before, like summoning a rabbit from a hat followed by a huge flood. “Then there’s Lenardeaus Case. A few months younger than the first two. Brilliant overall. His father, Professor Remedius Case, had sent him to the Flash Guardian Training Ground from Roma City to make ‘use of his brilliance’ and gift- that being able to translate unseen and ancient texts of any kind so far.” Giuseppe then scoffed. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
After that, the hologram had finally moved on to another boy- not too tall like Victor or short like Lenardeaus, this boy had brown skin, rocking a black mohawk faded haircut, and black eyes. The holograms showcased him just playing with a brown guitar. “Lastly, this is Kato Hawk. He came alongside Chloriette. Also age sixteen. When Chloriette can sing a song, he can play a tune. With it, he can manipulate physical, mental, and elemental magic. Recordings showed him playing a tune to dead plants. After a minute, the plants turned into flowers. In other words, he can play tunes as buff magic. Oh, and his native chant can turn his guitar into a fucking hammer.”
Willy nodded, “Huh, never thought an instrument could turn into a weapon.”
Hugo then asked, “His home?”
For a moment, Giuseppe tossed his head. “He came from the Malaya tribe of the Southeast of the world. His people were lucky enough to be alive ‘till now, though why he came all the way here to Etheron is a mystery, even though he can train at their land.” The holograms went back to focus on the four teenagers. “So these are the qualifiers for the special training. The only qualifiers to be precise. Regardless, let’s still remind ourselves that these are still newcomers, so whatever they got, they have to give it their all. One more thing about MaXabiere’s powers, they may be powerful, but still untamable. It will take a while for his powers to reach that kind of level again. As an extra support, he’ll be working alongside these few recruits.”
“That’s right,” Erik nodded to him before looking at his team. “Claes and Sean will be the seniors of the five. Unfortunately, Mr. Wayde won’t be their advisor because he’ll be joining us to track down Devastrigon and the Darken clan. Although there’s Dreyagon, he’s perfect to be an advisor.”
Nisr asked, “Just like how he became our special advisor before?”
Erik nodded and replied, “Yeah so that he can prepare them this time when the moment comes. At last, the prophecy is now in motion, lady, and gents.” He then recognized the look on Yrlin’s face.
“That means he’s going to tell the queen?” she asked.
“Yes,” he simply replied.
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Devastrigon’s great roar could reach the entire world of Enchanteria, by the mortals heard of it, they knew it would be the end of them… unless it was time.
At the balcony of the royal bedroom, located at the very top of the magnificent platinum Ascentilia castle, Queen Heather rested her hands on the railing. She wore her white light dress to feel the wind and the sun, but she couldn’t relax even for a second because thinking of the inevitable was stressing her mind. The only thing left to do was close her eyes.
She reminisced. How time flew so fast, she remembered the younger days like it was yesterday. But she would rather not look back, for she could only remember an unpleasant memory… regarding unfairness, sorrow, and loss.
Queen Heather heard a booming sound from the sky. The next thing she knew, the balcony was slightly jolted from the impact. The queen didn’t flinch or gasp, for she knew who it was. There was only one person who would make such an entrance. By the time she opened her eyes, she looked behind to see Dreyagon. The living legend, unknown avenger, Dragonslayer, and her old protector had returned after sixteen years.
“Dreyagon.” Queen Heather’s eyes widened. She could tell he had aged due to his brown hair intertwined with white ones and his braided beard got a bit longer. Because of that, it was as if the queen was gazing at an ancient statue.
The slayer bowed his head. For sixteen years, time changed her as well. She began to appreciate the neck length of her violet hair to feel the gentle breeze. He still couldn’t believe how much Heather had grown. “It is time.”
The queen took a breath and then started walking around the balcony. “Aside from the incredible and haunting roar of Devastrigon, does he...” Queen Heather quickly turned to Dreyagon with worried eyes.
“No,” Dreyagon paused for a split second. “Wayde had not shared anything with the boy, though I am not certain if Elise did too. He will join at academy tomorrow. The Flash Guardians will track down the three–headed dragon and the one responsible for the Darken clan’s release.”
Dreyagon observed the queen’s melancholy expression through her eyes. “He had an encounter with Devastrigon when his powers awakened,” he continued. “And I must tell you, he handled it quite well, but he had so much to learn. He’ll work alongside the new guardians.”
“Of course.” Queen Heather pursed her lips. “And then knowing the prophecy, they’ll go on the quest, realizing how much they’ll do it, and sacrifice themselves to save the world. He-”
“That will not happen,” Dreyagon interjected. He slightly moved forward to her. “I will not let that happen. Even if it’s the last thing I do.” The queen had not spoken a word, she just kept looking at him with concerned eyes. “I shall look after him- even he’s future companions, so they can look after themselves- especially himself.”
Dreyagon slowly marched close to the railing. “Wait,” the queen called. “Will he know everything?” The slayer paused. As he looked at the horizon, he thought of tomorrow, the day after, and so on.
“The boy has powerful senses. He’ll know in time, princess.” Lastly, Dreyagon looked over his shoulder to see her. “And he does resemble his real father.”
With those words, Queen Heather could only imagine the boy’s face- without these horrible circumstances, she could only dream of them together. No prophecies, no sacrifices, and no bitterness. The bridge wanted to be constructed between the two of them- to fill the gap, so she could hold him. But alas, it wasn’t the time for that. Only a mother could dream, but as queen, she must wake up to the hard reality. She had not realized that she smiled slightly until it was gone. “When this is all over,” she said. “Will you be slumbering in everlasting peace?”
For many years, it took this moment and one question for Dreyagon to ponder. He had been awakened many times when the world needed him, but now with MaXabiere… “Time will tell,” he said. Queen Heather watched as he leaped with such speed and power.
“Look after him, Dreyagon,” she uttered.