"Aureus (Abridged) Chapter Three" by Harrison (Aureus) Gordon

Chapter 3

            Aureus was rushed the stone monument by the elf.  It wasn’t especially well decorated inside, but something about it gave him a warm feeling.  He felt very comfortable in the surroundings, even though he knew not a single person there.  Up on the walls hung different types of swords, ranging from six to three feet long.  In the center of a room, two of the teens he had seen in the group were sparring; the others watching.  The fighting style appealed to him, and he couldn’t stop staring.  The two attacked with such strength and speed that he had a hard time keeping up.  He looked back to find the old elf watching as well, with a smile on his face.

            “Like what you see?” the elf questioned, running his hand through his hair to fix what the wind had done.

            “Oh, I like it a lot, sir!” stammered Aureus.

            “I am sorry, but I must pry you away from it for a second.  Come,” the elf ordered.  Aureus obediently followed, still stunned by the grace of the two fighters in the other room.  The two went to the left side through a small door, leading down a staircase to an underground level of the hut.  It was made of stone and had torches lighting the corridor.  The underground area was extensive, probably covering a good amount of the hill on which the building was situated.  The old elf led Aureus to the end of the corridor, opened the wooden door and motioned Aureus to come inside.  The room was pitch black. 

            “Aureus, do you see anything in front of you?”

            “No sir, I don’t.  The room is too dark.”

            “Can you see something… now,” immediately, the light Aureus had seen under the clothing of the elf suddenly came out, illuminating everything in sight.  The glow was warm, and Aureus could barely hold himself back from touching the sphere of light which now flooded the rest of the room.  It danced around in front of him, circling the awe-stricken Aureus and creating a path of light.

            “I assume you can see it, correct?” inquired the elf.

            “How could I not see it?!” exclaimed Aureus, jaw dropped and surprised.

            “Interesting, very interesting,” noted the elf, as he walked to the side of the room. “In that case, let’s move on.”

            The old elf led Aureus to yet another door within the dark room; the ball of energy lighting the way down the black corridor.  Aureus started to shiver as they journeyed farther and farther away from the main hall.  They reached the end of the corridor and entered the door to the left.  Inside was nothing but a table, two chairs, and one item of particular interest: a sword.

            Upon entering the small room, Aureus could do nothing but stare at the sword on the table.  It was almost three-fourths as tall as he was.  The blade was double-edged and looked unpolished and untouched for many years.  The hilt seemed a dull brown color, like unpolished brass, and the handle’s cover was torn in many places.  The old elf looked at the sword as Aureus did, but with more reverence.  The sphere of light then set some candles on fire, and returned to its master.

            “Aureus, what do you know about your father?”

            “…. My… father?” stuttered Aureus.  The question caught him by surprise.  He scratched his head, rustling his blonde hair.  "Well, I never really met my father, but I've heard stories.  He was a warrior."

            "Ah, but he was so much more than just a warrior.  He was a Guardian."

            “Yeah, a Guardian.”  Aureus was starting to become uneasy about the topic, but he felt that the old elf knew something he didn't, and his curiosity kept him from running away.

            “My name is Garner.  I was a friend of your father's.”  he paused, feeling Aureus’s uneasiness. “Were you ever told what happened to him?”

            Aureus was shocked.  He never knew what happened to his father.  For all he knew, his father had left with no trace or memory except through the myths and legends of his childhood.  “No, sir.  I… I haven’t.”

            “Then I feel it is about time you should know,” said Garner.  “Do you remember the War?”

            “What war?” asked Aureus, with a doubtful look upon his face.

            “Back when the mountains weren’t here to set up a clear barrier, a series of wars were waged between us; the elves on this side, and the race of men, on the other.  The bloodshed never ceased.  Every day, someone was killed from a needless raid or assault.  The Guardian, Auten, helped the Elven task force to hold off such attacks from happening, and he was successful.  After a year or two, other Guardians were found, and the numbers grew, further protecting the village from attacks.  But at this time, the men had to find something that would combat the powers of the Guardians, and found a horrible force.  It wasn’t a physical entity, as much as a metaphysical one.  This force had the ability to create beings of pure evil, and have them do its bidding at any time.  It also had the power of taking control of a living entity, make it grow stronger, and then mold it into a mindless slave.  The men tried to control the power, but had failed, and it had overrun their land.  The evil force eventually attacked the Elven fronts.  Of course, the Guardians were sent out to try and fend them off, but to no avail.  It was the act of the remaining Guardians that stopped it.  Seeing defeat was near, they summoned all of their strength, and let out such an enormous amount of energy, the earth shook and crumbled, rattled and roared, until every single creature created from that metaphysical force was destroyed.  But this victory had a horrible cost.  After they expended their energy, they disappeared.  They were considered dead, and given burials just outside of town.  The mountainous barrier you see before you is the remnants of your father’s attack, the strongest of all.  He wouldn’t let his family, especially you, come into harm’s way, and that is what triggered such a powerful release of energy.”

            “He died… protecting me?” Aureus, shocked, sat down, eyes glossed over and jaw dropped. “He died.”

            “Yes, unfortunately so,” said Garner.  “I have something for you.  Look at this sword.”

            Aureus peered once again at the gold hilt. 

            “Touch the hilt,” ordered Garner.  Aureus obeyed, and slowly put out his hand over the torn leather.  It felt very cold at first, but for some strange reason, it quickly warmed up.  Within seconds, the entire sword lit up like a firecracker, emitting light throughout the entire room.  An enormous power surged through Aureus, and he fell back in the seat, dropping the sword on its resting place.  The sword had returned to normal.

            “What… what was that?!”  shouted Aureus, afraid it would light up again, without notice.

            “That was your father’s sword,” stated Garner.  “I think it is about time it is returned.”

            “You mean, it’s mine?”

            “Of course, it is only right that you take up your father’s sword to become a Guardian yourself.”

            “A Guardian?!  Me?” stammered Aureus. “But I could never do things like that, no way!”

            “You can, I know you can.  It runs in your blood, and the sword just showed that.  Not to mention that you were able to see the Familiar.”

            “The Familiar?”

            “Yes, the sphere of light you just saw.”  Garner raised his right hand and snapped his fingers.  The Familiar rose and rested on the table, looking at Aureus intently.  The Familiar then zoomed around the room, hitting each side it felt was needed, and then hid behind Aureus. 

            “That is also yours,” said Garner, with a smile on his face.

            “Wait, if you had all these things…” pondered Aureus, lifting his head up towards Garner.

            Garner answered, “Yes.  I am a Guardian.”