The elf-size child stands before our group, in Zev's lair, his long blue hair shimmering. "An pixie?" wonders Captain Pete. "No," smiles Faeda, "A child. One of the Guardians." "Awfully small for a child, yeah." nods Pete. "Be respectful." growls Edeline, bowing slightly to the Guardian. "No need for formalities." giggles Rolmir, the small Guardian, "I'm just glad that we weren't wrong about you all."

Captain Pete: "Wrong about what? Who are you again?" (o_O)
Faeda: (;^_^)
Rolmir: "You, the seer's friends, are a special bunch. We haven't seen a group like yours in ages!" (^o^)
Adie: *gasp* "What's that song?" (o_o)
Oar: "Sounds like... children..." (-_-)
Vi: "You mean to say, you hear it too?" (o_O)
Galen: "We all hear it... what the hell is it?" (>_>)
Rolmir: "It's the Song Of The Guardians. You hear it, because your heart is so full of love." (^_-)
Captain Pete: "Ah, what an relief! I thought I was going a bit rum, there..." (-_-)
Oar: "You are crazy." (-_-)
Captain Pete: "Am not!" (o_o)

Edeline bows again, "What is it you wish to tell us, great Guardian." "Please," he waves, "Call me Rolmir. And what I wish to tell you is, the history of the Yaltorus." "Aw..." frowns Galen, "That sounds educational..." "Which we all know you're allergic to." says Oar. "Damn right!" says Galen, then thinks for a moment, "Wait a minute. Those that mean I'm stupid?!" Vi and Adie giggle. "I would think you would be interested," nods Rolmir, "You are part Yaltorus, after all." "Huh?" gasps Galen. Everyone is listening now.
Rolmir begins, "Long ago, there were only two races that lived in Serenity. The Opiir and the Yaltorus. The Opiir was of my blood, the bloodline of all Guardians, as you know of them today. The Yaltorus is the bloodline of Zev, of his followers, of Galen and his family. Each of our races know of the Arcane arts, yet the Yaltorus always were a bit stronger in them, than the Opiir. Even so, we've got along and lived in a world of perfect peace and love. And neither race could guess of a day, when that would all end...
"Soon, mankind was born, as well as other races. The Opiir was looked to as gods, because of our talents, worshiped and praised. But because the Yaltorus were stronger, the other races were afraid of them. They began calling the Yaltorus monsters, waging war against the innocent Yaltorus, which the Opiir tried and failed to stop. And when the Yaltorus defended themselves from the unyielding attacks, many humans, elves, and elven were killed. This made the view of the Yaltorus even worse, for none one their side were killed!"

Captain Pete: "Bloody hell!" (o_o)
Faeda: "That's horrible!" (o_o)
Rolmir: "Indeed. This was the beginning of the downfall of the Yaltorus..." (-_-)
Adie: "What happened next?" (o_O)
Rolmir: "The other races were relentless... they attacked the Yaltorus often and many more died. They kept attacking, even though it was most certain death for them." (-_-)
Oar: "Juvenile..." (-_-)
Rolmir: "Yes... but they believed they were fighting for a grander cause. To save Serenity from this unknown evil." (-_-)
Galen: "But... the Yaltorus did nothing wrong. Right?" (>_>)
Rolmir: "Yes, that's right. At that time, the Yaltorus was as innocent as us Opiir. But even though they ruled us as gods, the races failed to listen to our truth. They ignored us and attacked the innocent, regardless." (-_-)

Rolmir continues, "But the Yaltorus felt guilt for defending themselves, for slaughtering all that came their way to harm. So, to protect themselves as well as the other races, the Yaltorus hid in the furthest corner of Serenity. And for generations, no one was ever killed again. Feeling exiled, the Yaltorus began to feel deep resentment towards the other races. Darkness had worked it's way through their bloodline and then one day, the Yaltorus discovered an secret...
Through the power of darkness, they could gain the ability to wipe away all races, at will! But remembering their bond with the Opiir, they summoned our people to their hiding lair. In a heated discussion, they purposed their plan to us and urged us to join them. But in our hearts, the Opiir could not join in such a plot. Thus began the War of Light and Darkness. The Opiir and Yaltorus fought, within the Realm Of Null, a gateway between light and darkness. The Opiir was slowly dying, at the hands of people who were once our friends, fighting to protect all life on Serenity. We knew it was likely for the Yaltorus to win, so using our abilities and our souls, we bonded a Gate and Key."
"To protect The Golden Soul." nods Faeda. "Yes." smiles Rolmir, slightly, "But the conduit between darkness and light is highly unstable. After a number of generations, it needs to be repaired. Anyone who is able to obtain the Key has the power, to either repair the balance or unleash great darkness upon the world. We, as Guardians, took many steps to insure that the Key never falls into the hands of an Yaltorus. But Zev has come closer than anyone else."

Adie: "That's an scary thought." (>_<)
Galen: "So... this darkness in me... it's part of who I am..." (-_-)
Rolmir: "Nothing is forever, Galen. Your father was able to overcome the darkness in him, so it's possible for you as well." (-_-)
Edeline: (^_^)
Rolmir: "But you must know... that darkness has been in the bloodline, beyond many ages past. It won't be easy to overcome such a thing, but it is possible." (^_-)
Edeline: "That's good to hear." (^_^)
Galen: "Yeah..." (;^_^)
Oar: "I guess there's some hope for you, after all..." (-_-)
Galen: "What's that suppose to mean?!!!" W('O')W
Vi: "Oar... stop pushing his buttons." (>_>)
Oar: "But it's so much fun!" (^o^)
Galen: "Gah!!!" W('O')W

Vi and Adie roll their eyes, annoyed with both Galen and Oar. But Rolmir giggles. "Um," asks Edeline, getting back on topic, "What happened after the Opiir created the Gate and Key?" "Well," nods Rolmir, "The Yaltorus had no choice, but to retreat. As for us Opiir, every last one of us became Guardians, never to live in Serenity again. We are spirits, with very little power, charged to protect the Gate and Key, for all eternity. It is a sacrifice we've never regretted, for this way, all living creatures and races will go on living."
"And we are grateful for your sacrifice." bows Faeda. Rolmir giggles, a little bashful. "Right then," nods Captain Pete, "So, Faeda has to find this Golden Soul, I take it." "Yes," nods Faeda, "The entrance to the Realm is nearby." "Really?!" shrieks Adie, "You mean, Zev and his men could have stroll up to the Gate, at any time?" "Yes," waves Rolmir, "But without the Key, that would be useless." "Oh, yeah." blushes Adie, "I knew that..." "Well," says Vi, "What are we waiting for? Let's head for the Hidden Temple!"

Faeda: "This is the last step, isn't it?" (-_-)
Adie: (o_O)
Faeda: "The last part of the journey?" (-_-)
Edeline: "Oh..." (>_>)
Oar: "I see..." (-_-)
Galen: "Yeah..." (-_-)
Captain Pete: "What's wrong with you people?" (O_o)
Adie: "Captain Pete! Don't you get it?!" (>_<)
Captain Pete: "What, love?" (;^_^)
Adie: "After this... it's... goodbye." (-_-)
Captain Pete: (o_o)
Faeda: (-_-)
Vi: "Well, it's not time to say goodbye yet! We still have a job to do." (>_>)
Faeda: "You're right, Vi." (^_^)
Vi: "So, everyone... keep smiling. Okay?" (;^_^)

Everyone relaxed a bit. "I don't smile." says Oar, folding his arms. "Yes, you do!" laughs Faeda, "Whenever you tease Galen!" "Yeah." growls Galen and Oar smiles. "I guess you're right." he nods. Galen sulks. "Ooh," hops Adie, "You better watch it, Oar. Galen might become all powerful on you and smash you into the ground!" Oar blinks. "Yeah!" grins Galen, "I have Arcane in my blood, baby!" Vi and Faeda giggles.
They leave Zev's lair, along with General Lu and the rest of the allies. Once outside the hallow castle, Rolmir tugs on Faeda's gown. She turns her attention to the happy little boy. Rolmir smiles, "I shall show you the way to the Gate. Please follow me." "Thank you." bows Faeda. And through the snow, our heroes follow the small child across The Ice Fields, getting ever closer to their destination. And not far behind, Lord Zev watches...

Adie: *shudders* "There's that weird feeling again?" (o_O)
Captain Pete: "It's called the cold, love." (;^_^)
Adie: "No! I just got a chill up my spine." (>_<)
Captain Pete: "Because it's cold..." (u_u)
Adie: "That's not what I meant!!!" W('O')W
Galen: "Who invited him along, anyway?" (>_>)
Faeda: "Vi did." (;^_^)
Vi: (*^_^*)
Oar: "Vi... you are a traitor!" (-_-)
Rolmir: "There is much darkness closing in. Ignore it. It has no more power." (-_-)
Adie: (o_o)
Galen: "Right... you mention something like that and we're suppose to stay calm?!" (<_<)
Rolmir: "Heh..." (;^_^)

"It will be fine." smiles Faeda. And somehow, her smiles assures everyone. After a while, they come across a cave, within a wall of a mountain. "Enter here." nods Rolmir, "And you shall be in the Realm Of Null." "Thank you, Rolmir." bows Faeda. "Yes." he nods, then turning towards the others, "Keep the seer safe." "Of course we will." says Galen, stepping forward. Rolmir fades away into snowy winds. Our heroes head into the cave. Within three steps, they were no longer in a cave, but now stood in a field of many colors.
In the distance, they could see the Gate, guarded by huge cat-like monsters. "Well," nods Oar, "There's your answer, Adie. Guardians do have Guardians." Adie laughs, nervously. "Don't worry," waves Faeda, "They will let us pass. We have the Key." "Right." says Adie, still nervous. They head across the field, which feels like sand, beneath their feet. "I can't believe it." smiles Edeline, "We're going to save Serenity! This is the greatest day in my life, to be apart of this!" Before anyone could respond, a huge spike pierces through Edeline! "What-" gasps Galen, catching her fallen body, "Edeline!!!"