Water One

            The sky was a brilliant shade of orange and crimson as the sun set in the distance, it’s last lights shinning upon castle.  Those who stood atop the castle were admiring the beautiful sky as they stood guard it.  They came in all shapes and sizes, but they all wore the same uniform as they had all come from the same place.  It was a tight blue bodysuit and a wide white neck piece with a banner hanging over the chest that displayed three gold triangles in the formation of a larger triangle.  They were the order that protected the Triangle of Light, an almighty power that could be very dangerous if misused.  Like the picture on their banners the triangle was made up of three pieces, the three powers of Fate, Destiny, and Power; the power of white light.

            Of all those there one stood out among them all, his body was the peak of perfection and stood there like a statue.  His neck piece was pulled up over his nose to that only his violet eyes and the front half of his long blonde hair were visible since the back if the neck piece was wrapped tightly to the back of his head.  His hair was blonde like everyone else in this land, but his violet eyes were not blue like theirs making him stick out just a little to those close enough to see them.  He had a couple extra items the others didn’t as well, such as the deep blue metal guitar instrament that was on his back.  There was also a gold disk with three yellow triangle gems resting on the chest of his bodysuit, just below his neck and under the banner.

            It wasn’t as if he wasn’t like by the others for his differences, quite the opposite, everyone there respected him greatly.  From birth he had possessed a piece of the Triangle of Light, the triangle of Power which appeared on his right hand.  It remained hidden under the piece of his sleeve that covered the mark, only the Triangle Guardians knew it was there.  He had the guitar and gold disk, which was the Talisman of Eternity, only because he had the triangle.  They were his mystic instrument and weapon chosen by his piece of the triangle while the others waited for their owners to appear.

            “Do you hear that?” A bald older member asked when his long pointed ears twitched.

            “I do.” He said as his own pointed ears twitched, hidden under his hair.  “Looks like those rumors were true.”

            “What should we do, Gleen?” Another member asked him.

            “Protect the castle all costs.” He said stepping up to the edge.  “We can’t afford to loss this castle.”

            “What is within this castle?”

            “Your future ruler Princess Shayla, being taught the ways of the sages.”

            Without warning an explosion hit the back of the castle, throwing them all of guard cauing Gleen ran for it leapt off.  Holding up his right arm revealed the long cylinder that shot a chain with a hook at the end, he used it to swing around to find where the bomb was planted.  Founding no one as the next explosion came from the front indicating the door was blown and they were within the castle.  Scaling the castle wall he climbed in through one of the window, but instead of joining the battle he went towards the Princess’ chamber.

            “I’m taking the Princess out of here.” Gleen told the guards when he got there.  “Go join the battle.”

            “Yes, sir!” They said leaving.

            “Princess, it’s become to dangerous for you to remain here.” Gleen said entering.

            The young princess sat there playing a harp as she worked on one of the songs the sages had taught her.  She wore a simple long white dress that did give the impression she was royalty as did the white hair piece the held up her long hair.  With a unnaturally kind nature she was compationate for all who came to see her, he even had come by from time to time when it didn’t interfere with her studies.  When she took the throne there would be many positive changes and he was going to see she made it there.

            “Good evening, Gleen.” She said as he bowed.

            “I’m here to take you to safety.”

            “I know, I only wish I could have finished my studies before they had arrived.”

            “They?”

            “Shadows are on their way to our land.”

            “I’m sorry, we have to leave now.”

            Picking her up he began to run through the halls looking for a safe way out, but each path was quickly blocked by rubble from the explosions.  They were soon forced to go back upward as the unknown enemy worked their way deeper in the castle.  There was no chance he could fight his way through however they were and ensure the princess’ safety.  Soon they found themselves on the roof at the highest point of the castle, in the distance there was a dark storm forming.

            “It’s beginning.” The Princess told him.

            “Close your eyes.” He said positioning her so his right arm was free.  “This maybe a little rough.”

            When he was ready he ran for the edge, jumping off as he shot the chain and swung for the stable.  Placing the princess on a horse that he had readied, he jumped on and rode as fast as he could toward the capital where she would be safer under the protection of the king's guard.  Delivering her to the capital proved to have little problem, one being the princess was very curious about people, and since he was the only one there she wanted to know about him.  When they finally got there the king was a little displeased that only one of the Triangle Guardians had escorted the princess, but was glad no harm had come to her.

            Returning to the guild he had found everyone had already returned and were waiting for him.  The still unknown enemy had been driven back, but no one seemed to have noticed the storm he had seen in the distance.  When he had told this to the Grandmaster he seemed worried, even worse when he told him what the princess had said about the coming shadows.  There was a meeting held to determine what it could all mean and what should be done about these shadows.

            In the end all they could come up with was these dark energies were being attracted by the triangle Gleen possessed.  It was decided that Gleen would be put in an endless sleep until the other triangles appeared.  Agreeing Gleen arrived at the Chamber of Endless Sleep and stepped into the small pool of blue liquid.  After a moment it began to rise up covering his body, then became a crystal as it sank into the pool.

 

                                    *                                  *                                  *

 

            Slowly the crystal rose from the pool becoming liquid again and dripped off the figure in side back into the pool.  He slowly stumbled forward seeming to be in a daze as nothing appear right to him at the moment.  It took him a while to come too after being asleep for so long, his vision was taking longer to return.  Shortly after it did he became awake there was someone else there, not the one he expected, but it was someone he eventually recognized.

            “Keeper, what happen?  You have less hair then I remember.”

            “Time passed, Gleen.”

            “How long have I been asleep.”

            “Seven years have passed by while you lay here forgotten.”

            “Has the triangle fully appeared?  Where are the others?”

            “The Triangle is here, but the others are not.”

            “What do you mean?”

            “They were all killed by the first shadow.”

            “The first?  How many are there?”

            “Three have passed and the forth is here now.”

            “Why was I never awaken?”

            “The location of this chamber had been lost when the Grandmaster died, with his last words he tried to tell me where you were.”

            “I will get the shadows for this.  Have you located those who possess the triangles?”

            “They are a few days north.”

            “Then I leave now to join them.”

            With that he left the chamber walking into the runes that had once been the guild and his home.  The capital city was in a similar condition as it was now a swamp and seemed devoid of all people.  Putting it behind him he headed north toward those who were like him, who carried the weight of this burden the pieces of the triangle gave them.  He didn’t need to ask around to find them, he could sense the triangle and he assumed so could they.  He also seemed to sense a dark presence over head similar to that storm cloud he had seen so many years ago.

            When he reached them he found a young man and woman  as they were battling some kind of creature.  Ignoring them for the moment his attention turned to the creature they were battling as he ran past them and jumped over the creature.  This seemed to get it’s attention as it now attacked him as he easily dodged each of it’s strikes.  Shooting the chair it passed right through as the creature dispersed like a cloud and he landed next to them.

            “Who are you?” The man asked raising a blue handled broadsword with the symbol of the Triangle of Light near the bottom of the blade.

            “It’s alright, Casa.  He is a Triangle Guardian.” The woman said only to get a confused look back.  “They were the ones who protected they Triangle of Light before the shadows came.  You seem very familiar to me, Guardian.”

            “I feel the same.” Gleen told her.  “What is you name, my lady?”

            “I am Shayla.”

            “Princess.” He said bowing instantly.  “I was the one who protected you on your return to the king when they sage’s castle was attacked.”

            “Your eyes, is it you?  Gleen?”

            “So who’s this guy?” Casa asked getting impatient.

            “I am Gleen, last of the Triangle Guardians, possessor of the Triangle of Power, wielder of the Talisman of Eternity, and holder of the mystic guitar instrument.”

            “Now that’s a greeting.” Casa said clapping.  “Lets see.  I’m Casa of the forest people, possessor of the Triangle of Fate, wielder of the Master Sword, and holder of the ocarina instrument.  I also have the Hero Shield.”

            “It’s identical to the Master Sword, but it’s not one of the Triangle Weapons.” Gleen said looking at the blue shield with the triangles near the top.  “What were you given, Princess?”

            “I received the Triangle of Destiny, the Sphere of Light, and the harp.” Sahyla said holding up a crystal ball with three gold triangles on it and a hand held harp made of gold.”

            Without warning each of their triangles began to glow, drawing closer to each other the triangle only increased in radiance.  As much as they tried they could not fight this pull and just as they all touched something inside of them broke.  It wasn’t a bad thing as they felt a warmth spread through out their body emanating from the others.  For a long moment they just stood there trying to figure out what had just happen within them.

            “Shayla, what happen?” Casa asked once he had given up.

            “I’m looking.” She said using the Sphere of Light.  “Those were the seals that locked the power of our triangles.  Destiny has the power to heal, Fate gives the Master Sword the power to instantly kill the opponent or the wielder, and ironically Power is the same as the Talisman of Eternity, it enhances physical strength.”

            “So I can now increase my physical properties.” Gleen said turning to Casa.  “You’re power worries me, it’s like a flip of a coin to see who dies.  Are you lucky, because it appears if it goes wrong it will take your life.”

            “I’ve been lucky enough to defeat three Shadow Lords.”

            “Another thing puzzles me, the forest people are no allowed to leave the forest.  Was it the power of your triangle that allowed you to leave and age normally like the rest of us?”

            “I can return occasionally, but I can’t stay very long.  It’s good to see your old friends every now and then.”

            “Yes, it is.” Gleen said looking away.

            “So you already know about the other guardians?” Shayla asked laying a hand on his shoulder.

            “The keeper told me once I was awaken.”

            “The old man talks too much.”

            “Not that I haven’t enjoyed this chat, but we should head on toward the Shadow Lord.”

            “We were just on the way to it’s tower when you showed up.” Casa said holding up a odd key.

            “Don’t let me stop you.” Gleen said as they traveled on.

            Once they were out of the woods they came to a barren wasteland and a tall black tower could be seen in the middle of it all.  It cast an eerie shadow and Gleen could feel the dark presence from the wood’s edge, it was identical to that of the storm he had seen before.  When they reached it he was shocked to find it was cold even out here with the sun shining at it at all times.  Placing his hand against it he almost felt like it moved underneath, it was as if the tower was alive.

            “Lets get this shadow over with and hurry back to New Capital City.” Casa said pulling out the key again.  “I need a long rest after this one.”

            “Lets do it then.” Gleen said as Casa turned the key.

            “Who dares to enter the tower of the Soultaker?” A voice asked from all around as they entered the hollow tower.

            “Show yourself shadow.” Casa told it.  “Your joining the rest of your kind who have come here.”

            “Even with your new addition your no match for me.” Soultaker said taking the shape of a cloak with a skull for a face.

            “Lets see how strong you really are.” Gleen said powering up.

            Gleen’s body began to glow before he ran forward at an unbelievable speed, jumping up and kicking the shadow in the head.  His foot only passed right though, then got stuck as if had become solid and throw him back with a laugh.  It was then Casa warned him they could only be harmed when they became solid just before they were about to attack.  He then demonstrated as it attacked he waited to the last moment and swung causing the shadow to jump back wounded.

            Following the example Gleen impaled it on the next attack which seemed to severely  wound it as it dispersed and reformed.  It seemed the chain had more effect on it then the Master Sword which gave him the idea to power up as it attacked again.  This time when it dispersed the shadow surrounded him and attacked from all sides until he fell weakly to the floor.  Shayla healed him in time to see Casa holding the master Sword over his head, then ran forward as the triangle’s power gave the blade a glowing edge.  Jumping upward he swung the blade as a blinding light filled the tower on contact with the shadow and when it faded the shadow was the one screaming.

            “You may have beaten me, but you have not won.” Soultaker yelled before it dispersed.  “I take the souls of those I defeat, but the one who defeats me must overcome my soul.  The more shadows that you defeat the more you become like them.”

            “Casa!” Shayla yelled as the shadow entered Casa’s body and was gone.

            “It’s okey.  I’m fine.” Casa told her a little wobbly.

            “Now what?” Gleen asked once Shayla healed him.

            “We go back to New Capital and wait until another shadow shows up.” Casa told him.

            “Do you know how many there are?”

            “The sages say there are six all together.” Shayla said as they walked from the tower.  “Then he who controls them will come.”

            “So three battles remain.” Gleen said looking into the distance.

            “What are you going to do?” Casa asked him.  “You could always come with us to New Capital.”

            “I think I’ll decline.  The world has changed in my absence and I’d like to explore what it is now like.”

            “Be careful.” Casa told him.

            “Farwell, until we meet again.”

            “Thank you.” Gleen said waving.  “When the shadows return I’ll be waiting there for you.”

            With they went their separate way, Casa and Shayla making their way back to the city of New Capital.  Gleen however when the opposite direction with no destination in mind as he walked away.  He now wanted to see what was in the world and what his place was now in it as the last of a guild to protect the power he was a part of.  Looking upward he could sense the dark power just out of the range of his sight, but he knew it could see him.  Let it come he would stand in it’s way no matter what form or shape it took, he would be there waiting for it, he was a Triangle Guardian.