It has been two weeks since I have awoken from the dead as the reigning Guardian of Death. And I have just come to the realization that I have been missing out on multiple factors through my journey in this world. Or most probably, I had been blinded with work and was forced to turn my eyes away from the real things I was trying to find out about.
Screw the Imperial family! Was it really a necessity of me there?!
Now that I can look back, I have started to notice something that I have been letting off regarding my own element. While others' had side effects and a specific power they could harnass... Why did mine in particular have to be so many?
It ranged from strength to time related skills, and then physical attacks.
Up until lately... I realized that the power that the Guardian of Death harnasses... Is similar or identical to that of the Wolf element's. That got me wondering... Coincidence?
As savage as I was... I got the spirits to answer my questions.
Turns out that in the fantasy worlds, elements are supposedly what the animal would usually symbolize to the others. And the wolf in particular, didn't have just one that it could capture.
To some, it may seem like wolves are to be stronger than most animals, because they are predators. To another group of people, wolves are very aware of their environments and never allows for a mistake, always using the trial and error method before sticking to a proper plan. Then there is their mischievous behaviours... Branding them as psychotic, mentally unstable and for most people... The true meaning would be mental fortitude. Given how they are known as villainous, but truly just trying to survive.
Killers and murderers all have a point in their lives when they grow tired of killing. Because they might just feel guilty, disgusted by their own actions or just sick of the smell of slaughtering. But wolves would kill again and again until they would die. Picking up one prey after the other.
However, the thing I still hadn't come across properly though... Is who exactly is the creator of this element?
Was it the Guardian of Time? Guardian of Space? Guardian of Destruction? Wrath? Justice? Because of its broad range of skill types, it's hard to really explain.
But most importantly, now that I have the Guardian of Death's powers... I think this element is indeed very ancient.
Based on folklores, before the previous reigner of the Nation of the Dead dissapeared, they had left a part of their powers collected into a core and then placed into the stone of the wolf element. They said that it was possible the Guardian had known about their own death, so they left a counterpiece behind in case they were ever reborn. But this has not yet been confirmed.
Until just shortly ago, I let that matter drop. At least I had gotten my element back, and I knew that Puppet was safe. I still needed to know more.
While living in this forest for the time being, trying to make up the true meaning behind the Guardian of Death's powers, I came across the fact that I couldn't actually control much of those exaggerating powers on my own. It was actually, intensely painful to run the skills itself. However, I learnt to endure it.
Unlike the previous Guardian of Death, who was a said war addict, my body was definitely going to suffer if I wanted to caress that much power. So I had to lock up most of it and only let the residues seep out in case I lost my energies. I guess I was too used to the limited magic from not so long ago.
With that, I continued my life in the woods with my mind rattling on different collected informations while I fulfilled my daily tasks. Mostly just investigating this matter.
***
"Countess Elanor... Can you do me a favor?" I finally spoke after a long moment of silent. We were both perched on a log, but we were both facing each other from the opposite direction. In the middle though, there were dried out twigs and ashes from the last time that I had lit a fire to feed myself. I am not good at cooking, but I am definitely good at preparing cooked meat for survival.
"Sure?" The woman politely answered back. Her amber eyes, two absolutely beautiful orbs that felt like autumn leaves. It is pretty comforting to be honest.
"..."
I let out a deep breathe. "I was just going to ask you to keep an eye out on Lewis. I have a bad feeling about so many things. Based on what I have been finding lately."
"Why so? What seems to be troubling you this time?" She asked back. Though she is mostly sinister and bloodlusted like me, she has a part of her that is caring. So I knew she could handle it well. "But if anything... Isn't it better that you yourself go and look after them?"
"That's the problem. I can't do it myself. Because they will find out about me." I let out a sigh. "They know that I am dead... And I am a little ashamed that I did something this huge."
"But you are a teenager... It is common for kids your age to suffer this sort of things. Although... I had a feeling you would have done it a long while ago."
Her eyes were calm, but mine were not. If she knew... Then–
"Either ways..." I decided to interrupt my own thoughts. I didn't want to feel guilty anymore. "I also have a very specific job for you. You will need to hunt for a specific type of beast for me. They have been causing quite the wholesome problem to the spirits around. But I can't return to the Empire of Smod."
"What is it?" Her gaze fell to my bloodied appearance as I pulled a new sword out of thin air. It was something I got when I had ascended to the Guardian of Death.
"This is Spectrum. It is a sword which can detect and activate a certain type of magic. Most likely that dark magic." I added as I stood up and crossed to her place. "Those beasts... They are not really dead, but they are also not alive. You will have to kill exactly six until they are forced to flee. Then, return me this sword."
"But I can't keep coming back and forth. They Imperial family will be suspicious."
I knew she would say this.
With a sudden movement, I lifted her left hand and pressed my thumb into her pulse point at her wrist. "Consider this... Whatever you send into this little seal here... Will allow you to send an item back to me. This is a Guardian's way of communicating with a chosen human." I answered her questions for her without her even needing to ask me in the first place.
"If you are curious, you can try it right now in front of me."
And she did as I had said, and this gets me shocked. Does she think I would genuinely lie?! I may be mad by a bit, but it was an important tasks. Because those ghost surround the palace from different areas. And... I don't want to harm my siblings. Although I am a foolish one myself... I am just too sensitive to the people who I have spent the most time with in this world.
Almost as immediately as she has sent the sword, it fell from the sky above and I caught it in time. "Prove enough? It will summon wherever I am." I spoke, making sure my expression was calm.
"Yes... But how exactly will it help me defeat the beast?"
Uh... Ok how do I say this honestly?
"Look... Don't get creeped... But it is a talking sword..." I replied. "And it has emotions that if you hurt it, well... I can't really out it in words anymore."
"Talking?"
Just then, she pulled out the blade from the white leather. Inside was the starry, nearly black blade that was more navy blue. I could tell instantly that she really liked it. And honestly, even I really like it. Its beauty is just too much to give away, it pained me and I was alright with being stingy. Too bad... I don't want to step into the Empire of Smod in the meantime. I still have a lot of works left to do in this Island. Of course I could be sarcastic about having any work at all.
[Hey! You are not my owner!]
There it was, that talkative little piece of non-living thing. By now, it was obvious why I wanted so bad to give it away. But at the same time... Yeeaaah, I can consider its beauty as a plus point.
"I assigned you to her for the time being. Cooperate. It is just one mission. You will return after your energy thirst has been fulfilled." I savagely replied without thinking even twice. Yes... I always spoke to it like this.
"Aefia...." Elanor's mouth opened in a brief moment of complete shock. "This blade... Isn't it the one that likes to feed on it's owner's blood?" She looked at my direction with fright and concern.
I stayed silent, of course... If I spoke about it immediately, she would know I would be lying when I say... "That's just a myth people made up."
"Are you really sure that is a myth? This is 'the' Spectrum. Aefia... Who are you really?" Her gaze turned the situation even more suspicious. "How did you awaken from an intentional death?"
I immediately broke out in a sweat, but I was still calm by expression. Luckily there was a light breeze present. It worked to keep my face conciled under the shadow of my hair. I knew I couldn't be silent any longer. Even if it was Elanor... I would need to come clear about it. "What if I told you the reason some while later? When you are leaving perhaps. You are not planning to stay for another week or so... Are you?"
"No. I guess you are right about that." Her expression melted away. At that moment, I let go of the breathe I was holding. I originally didn't want anyone to know me this way, that I was alive and was currently someone so important in the history of this world. Honestly... It was all just coincidence that I got those powers and reawakened again. I never expected Silence to just give up her role and die to bring me back.
Pathetic... Were we really enemies? Or did I show that specific face to fool the other?
At the end... Our relationship could be more described as internal frenemies. Sigh... Unlike that she had to just leave without a proper last conversation with me. But even so... I didn't want to talk to her. I still hate her to this date. Even for this very reason that I am alive... But I can't say that being alive with these powers are actually helping me.
"Either ways... That talking sword will tell you where those beasts reside and it is required to protect you." I spoke after a long moment. "But I must alert you. It is only powered by pure anger, blood thirst and violence. It might consume you in whole if you lose control of your own self. Don't lose your mind while using it."
"Then have you been consumed before?" She asked back. I got irritated. Does she need to keep asking like that?!
"No. I just heard of the warning from the spirits." I crossed my arms to vent my anger away. She was a help, so why was I being so harsh? It's like she is my slave and not the same person who was trying to look out for me and help me in a way that she can... Even risking her life like this.
"Spirits?" She looked confused.
"Elanor... Why don't we hear why you came looking for me?" I placed a false smile on as I lured her out of the conversation. My partially long hair swaying behind me as I clearly sensed one of my loyal ghosts behind me. It was listening in. However, only I could sense it, hear it or speak to it.
"Looking for you? ... Do I need a reason? I was curious." She added while shealthing back Spectrum and hiding the straps behind her cloak. "I knew a person like you were going to take your like anyways... So I decided that I would go visit your grave in hopes of paying you back for the help you had gotten me. But honestly... Seeing your grave a little uprooted, I knew something was wrong."
"Ah! So you did get out yourself huh? You filthy little kid!"
'Oh shut up!'
I whispered back to the ghost behind me. It was annoying as ever that it kept clinging to me. 'I was alive! So I got out!'
"Then you caught a trail of blooming red flowers... Didn't you?" I asked back.
"Yes... It's your trail. So I followed it to your place. But then I got caught by those robbers and I was lured into this forest where you then found me." Elanor replied with a smile and pointing towards my direction with her slender and long fingers. They looked like talons pointed at my throat, in my perspective.
"Oooh! What was that supposed to mean now... Hold on! You are into women!"
Again... This little rascal didn't want to leave me behind.
"What the heck is wrong with you?! I don't like women alright!" I shouted while turning around and grabbing the ghost by its throat. "I am forcing you back to spirit realm!"
"Wait! No! Don't!"
"Then behave! You are a ghost! Don't interrupt human conversations!" I shouted back while letting it go. However, it still hesitated from getting away from me. Then the thing I feared, happened.
"Ghost?" Elanor asked, curious again.
"Yes... I can see ghosts." I finally breathed out while turning back towards her with my 'spoiled with blood' white cape sway with my movements behind my back, unnecessarily. "Since you were already asking me about my real identity... Here it is."
With a final sharp gaze of my piercing crimson at the ghost, I spoke whike clenching my fist.
"When I woke up from the dead... I was forced alive by placing my name as heir for the Guardian of Death's unclaimed throne." I then moved my face away in case she was doubting my words.
"So simply put... I am the Guardian of Death."