With my words spoken, the elderly ex-guardian stood from the table. He picked the torn remains of his hood and wrapped it around his mouth, masking his face. “If it is a war you wish, then a war it shall be. Nothing, and no one shall stop me from my goal. Even if I have to kill my own forgotten son. This shall not be our last meeting, but only the second before the war. I wish to see you in the palace courtyard at the dead of night. Meet me there in three days time, and I’ll promise you that you’ll have much to think about.” He quickly turned to face the door and made an exit. Slamming the swinging doors in anger as he left, leaving a small echo in its wake.

Perspective Change: Bluemoon’s Crescent.

Training was not as difficult as I had expected, all that Archimedes had been instructing me in, father had already shown and taught me. After our training session, he was the first to approach me. “That’s some natural talent you have there, but don’t get too cocky. This is only day one, and it’s going to get a lot harder with each passing day.”

“The only reason it was fairly easy was due to father already teaching me most of these techniques all throughout my childhood. He always told me that they might be of use someday, and I do believe he was right.” I claimed, he looked to me with an interesting expression as he cracked a smile.

“A wise man, your father. I’m expecting great things from you Bluemoon, continue to impress me like you have today and you might be a fine guardian one day.” He turned tail and made his way towards the entrance of the training grounds. “I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow to continue your training. Enjoy your night.”

I threw him a quick wave,“Thanks Archimedes, I’ll catch you tomorrow.” I proceeded towards the exit of the fortress, making plans on returning to the palace to visit mother and tell her of my day and how the training went, but then the most unexpected happened. I felt something brush against the back of my neck. It couldn’t have been the touch of another, but it felt more solid than the cool breeze of the night air. I had this inner feeling as if something or someone was looking for me. I peered around the grounds, checking to see if there were any wandering eyes that would be set upon me.

As I gazed around the training grounds, I found a set of eyes focused on me, belonging to none other than the blacksmith himself, Terra Firma, leaning against the fortress entrance. As my eyes met his, he gave a small grin and gestured for me to follow him. He stood up and proceeded to walk within the corridor, me follow quick in step. Without looking, he spoke,“So, your Dark’s son. Pleasure to met you, the name’s Terra and I’ll be making your armor and weapon of choice once you’re ready to face the outside world.”

I looked to him and smiled,“It’s nice to met you Mr. Firma. I’ve heard much about you and your excellent smithing skills, the apprentice to the legendary smithy Firefist. He would be more than proud of what you’ve become.”

“Thanks, now let’s get to the serious talk. Do you have any questions for me before I begin?” He asked, turning to face me and raising an eyebrow.

“Not really, but I do have a question that’s completely unrelated though.”

“And that would be?”

“Well, I’m curious. Have the guardians been called upon within these past twenty years for any major threat? I’m only curious, there’s no real reason to answer, if you don’t want to that is.” In all honesty, I myself was pondering this many times before I even came to the fortress. Numerous nights, father wouldn’t return home and this made me worry more than anything. I always wondered if he would have been in danger, or if he had another family besides mine.

He looked to me, as if he read my very thoughts and looked me in the eyes. “There are things in this world that cannot reach the smoldering eyes and ears of the public, for it would cause utter panic and chaos. But when we, The Guardians, are called upon by the princesses of the sun and moon, the job is completed without any form of evidence nor witness. We get the job done and protect the lives of many from a day to day basis. I make the armor, and help alongside my brothers should I be called upon. Archimedes is usually in the front lines, helping lead the others into the glorious battle before us. Axton creates the machines and arcane relics that may aid us in many various ways. Night Strife, he’s a man of the shadow. You could set your sights upon him for but a moment, but should you look away, he’ll vanish within moments and have a blade carving through your neck. Intell and Pyro work as a team, Intell specializes in many things that are more than familiar to your father, back on Earth. As for Pyro, he’s a weapons expert and can use just about anything to take the enemy down. We are the leaders of the guild, but without the master, we’re just a band of mercenaries. Your father keeps the others in line, gives the orders and leads this group into the blinding fury of battle. He sacrifices much, so that we don’t have to. Many nights and days, he would go without sleep, just to make sure this fortress and this continent, and all its people are protected.”

“I. I didn’t know. Back when I was a mere boy, me and my sister would wait up at night within our rooms and await for father to return, but he never would. A little bit of me... thought that he might’ve... had another family.”

“He does, and that is his brothers and sisters of the guild. We are all united, joined by blood and steel. Fear not, I know your father much to well, and a nightmare such as that would never become a reality. Now then, with that set aside, let’s get you measured and get a set of armor for your brotherhood ceremony. From what I seen today, it’s looking like it should take no time at all.” He gave a large grin and placed his arm around my shoulders and began leading me further into the fortress walls.

Author's Note

Hope you enjoyed the chapter and sorry for the extremely late update. Thanks to AhugeAcidTree for proofreading this chapter, and sorry to Greasepony, you know why.

Keep it cool, Condemned.