Chapter 120 – The Ancient Guardians (1/2)

Chapter 120 – The Ancient Guardians

“Quick! Escape from here!”

A desperate yell resounded in the magma-filled room, as a three-meter giant pushed both his hands forward, creating an aqua-colored energy field in front of him.

The giant had skin akin to that of a sapphire stone, with his bloody veins visible through his semi-translucent body. It was unknown whether this was how his body usually appeared or if it was due to the stress caused by the incoming attack.

With tears and black ash covering his face, a man with the head of an owl gazed at the back of the three-meter giant who was currently protecting him from the monster that had invaded their sanctuary.

“M-Master! I cannot lea-“

The owl man stuttered with a tremble in his voice, but the giant retorted in anger.

“Balis, the Guardians were betrayed. One of us must to live in order to let the Beast Emperor know, and that someone is you. I have already used up my life source to stop the magma from entering this room and activated the teleportation array.”

Large circular silver symbols started to form on the floor where Balis was standing and he knew that the teleportation array would be finished within a few moments.

“I …”

“Don’t say anything now Balis. Just promise me that you will find the bastard that did this and make him pay. After you convey the message to the emperor, finish your Guardian training at the Human City of Selior.”

The giant interrupted Balis before he could say anything.

*shua*

It was at this moment that the teleportation array was completed, and a brief flash of light illuminated the crumbling room.

Slowly turning back his head to face his disciple, the giant softly whispered.

“Never forget the true purpose of the Ancient Guardians, Balis, the world will need us to guide them in the coming future. LIVE!”

With a thundering roar at the end, the giant sent all his remaining essence into the array.

“This disciple will never forget… Master.”

Balis choked on his tears, as the image of his Master disappeared from his eyes and the palace of the Beast Kingdom in the Desolate Mountains appeared before him.

“AARRRGGGHHH!”

The young owl-headed man bellowed into the sky, his roar filled with despair and agony at the loss of his Master.

The Master… who was also his father.

…………………………………….

“An Ancient Guardian? What is that?”

Calron inquired curiously while stretching his muscles and testing the effects of the pill.

The Elder morosely stared at the ground, brooding over his inner thoughts before he tilted his head to look at the human boy beside him.

“We were the ones who kept the balance of this world. Once, we had our own kingdom where the Gods themselves built it for us, and where they would bless the new generation of Guardians with their abilities.”

The Elder softly spoke, raising his head to gaze at the sky above.

“Gods… you’ve seen them?”

Calron’s voice had a hint of excitement. Since a kid, his mother used to always talk about the Gods and the divine powers that they had within their grasp. With a flick of their fingers, they could create new worlds and with a gentle slap, destroy the very world they created.

Gods were mystical beings and humans like Calron could only hope to ever witness their appearance. However, Calron was skeptical at the same time wondering whether what the owl-headed man had said was true or not.

“Gods, huh? They are powerful indeed, but selfish at the same time. Before, they used to visit our world as often as every year, but it all changed the day our order was betrayed.”

The Elder’s eyes flashed with coldness when he recalled the betrayal.

“When was the last time that a God appeared in our world?”

Calron questioned, his heart faltering at the coldness he detected in the Elder’s voice towards the end.

“The last time they came… was over seven hundred years ago…”

The Elder stated with a pause.

How could he forget that day? It was the day that his own father had died.

“Enough of these questions, child. Now, let me ask a question of my own.”

The Elder said, realizing that the boy in front of him will not stop asking questions if given the chance.

“Tch, I don’t want to.”