Chapter 11: Temporal Guardians
Meriella's Point of View
As I journeyed throughout the cave, clutching the ruby key in my hand, in search of a new entrance. I pulled up my swatch and asked my Arcadian Webspace for information on these strange warriors so that I could be fully prepared for what I was stepping into.
The stats read:
The Order of the Temporal Guardians is an ancient group of powerful beings tasked with protecting the integrity of time. Formed by The Light Realm, they defend the timestream from rogue time travelers and malicious entities. With abilities such as temporal awareness, chrono-perception, and temporal manipulation, they maintain balance and correct anomalies. Throughout history, the Order has been involved in significant events, including the Great Time War, protecting the Celestial Energy Orb, and preventing the Time Reavers from altering historical events.
I closed the swatch information tab and took a moment to scout the area of the cave that I'd journeyed into. I noticed a sparkle on the ground and looked up. Instantly, a glowing keyhole was revealed in the roof of the cave where I stood. I tilted my head, wondering why it was up there and how to possibly get the key up there.
I crouched down into a squat and focused all my strength and agility into my legs, steadying myself and pressing down, then launching my body up, but I was still out of reach. I searched the cave to find a rock to stand on or something. As I continued looking for a way to get to the keyhole, my mind drifted to the past. The Arcadian Webspace information said that these people we were up against were protectors of time and the celestial orb. That must be the same orb that was used to revive me years ago; that energy is what's been keeping me alive. Would that mean these Temporal Guardians would automatically see me as a threat, not only for being here in the past but because of the interruption in the natural order? I was supposed to be dead.
I stumbled across a tunnel; I guess the best option was following this and seeing where I ended up. I might be lucky and find Terrchel.
Terrchel's Point of View
As I was dragged away by the Temporal Guardians, they tied my hands behind my back. I couldn't help but think of Meriella and how worried she must be. I was determined to get out of here, and I knew I had to use my abilities to our advantage. The Temporal Guardians threw us into a large, dimly lit chamber deep within the cave. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and sweat. Arlene struggled against her restraints, but I knew we had to be careful. These were warriors unlike any I had ever seen before. They seemed to possess a primal strength and agility that made them formidable opponents.
One of the Temporal Guardians, clearly the leader, stepped forward. He was massive, with bulging muscles and a fierce gaze. He spoke in a language I didn't understand, but Arlene seemed to comprehend.
"Hey, Arlene, what is he saying?" I whispered. But she didn't acknowledge my presence, nor did I think she could hear me. Instead, one of the Temporal Guardians grabbed me by the neck and threw me into a separate part of the cave while yelling at me in agitation, "Our people are demanding to know why you've disturbed the balance!".
I knew I had to think fast. They were fiercely protective of the cave and its secrets, and they saw us as intruders. Immediately, the Temporal Guardian before me answered me as if reading my mind, "You are the intruder; this woman has come as it is written, but you don't belong here!".
"Did you just read my mind?" I asked, my voice filled with surprise.
"We are protectors of time, and you don't belong here. Therefore, I must eliminate you," the warrior stated, his gaze unwavering.
I anticipated a spear being swung in my direction any second now, and I dodged it immediately. I used my speed to spin around him, but with my hands tied, all I could do was duck and dive as he relentlessly struck his spear in my direction, grazing my face and piercing my ear, releasing a splatter of blood on the crystal wall behind me. When I looked at the wall, a chunk of my ear was pinned to it by the tip of the spear. I felt a zinging pain and warmth radiate from where my ear was, but I couldn't ponder on that now.
If this opponent could read my mind, that meant we were both anticipating each other's moves currently. We locked eyes, encircling each other, waiting for an opening. He smirked at me and released a hissing sound. He didn't seem like the peaceful guardian type. I focused my eyes on his every movement, and everything seemed to slow down. I could count the hairs on his neck at this rate.
With his full attention on me, he didn't have the time to anticipate Meriella sneaking up behind him. The moment I sensed her approaching, my confidence arose, and I let out a grin. I couldn't hide my excitement, mostly because I was happy she made it. Meriella leaped up behind the warrior and jumped up to choke him from behind, pulling him backward down to her height. I watched him turn from red to blue in seconds. She must be very strong because he collapsed on the floor, instantly unconscious. I wouldn't want to be choked by her. Well, at least not under these circumstances.
I immediately anticipated three more Temporal Guardians coming up from behind me. My hands were still tied. I spun, and Meriella and I stood back to back. I used her back to propel myself up and double-fly-kick the two guys into one another, while the third warrior went after Meriella and nearly speared her thigh, but she jumped out of the way at such a height that gave her momentum to launch a punch downwards on his head. I came fleeing in and head-butted him, knowing he would go flying into a sharp crystal shard nearby. Meriella quickly used her force to break my hands free.
"Yeah, that last one is definitely dead," Meriella said, assessing the damage.
"We can't worry about that now. We need to get out of here," I urged. I touched my ear and noticed that it had already passively regenerated. "This is actually cool," I muttered, a slight smirk playing on my lips.
I signaled to Meriella that we should wait until the rest of the warriors who were with Arlene, at the other end of the cave, were fully distracted. Then we could make a break for it. We crouched down in the far end corner of the cave and waited for our opportunity. I thought it would be best to get out of here without a fight, as these events might negatively impact my existence in the future, and for some reason, I could sense Meriella was extremely anxious, and she was usually fearless.
I tuned in my senses and focused on the conversation Arlene was having with the Temporal Guardians.
"What is your agenda with the celestial orb, human?" the Temporal Leader demanded.
"I wish to use its essence to better Arcadia, I swear I have no ill intent," Arlene responded.
"We were told a pure soul would come at the appropriate time so the prophecies can be fulfilled, but there has been an interference here today, which has raised concerns," the Temporal Leader said. He looked in our direction, and I knew he was speaking about us being here. There was no doubt that once they were done with Arlene, we would be on the chopping block immediately.
"We will give you the orb to take care of as intended, but don't let it fall into evil hands," the Temporal Leader continued. "Then fate will play out and take your life by whatever means possible. As this is the risk of taking this celestial orb out of this cave. Are you prepared for the consequences?".
"I am prepared," Arlene declared, her voice firm. "For the greater good of Arcadia and to make my husband's dreams a reality. I promise to take good care of this gift".
"Right then, leave this place at once," the Temporal Leader commanded.
With the Celestial Energy orb in Arlene's backpack, the Temporal Guardian opened a portal, and I watched her step into it. We could run ahead before it closed, but then we'd be stuck in the wrong time. Our portal awaited us outside this cave that would teleport us back to 2050.
"Meriella, I know you're scared, but I think we should run for that portal," I urged, my voice low. "It's better than facing all these warriors and dying in the past, which means erasing the future and a possibility of me meeting you". The light was dim in the corner where we crouched. All I could see were Meriella's golden eyes staring at me, with a glistening of sadness.
"Terrchel, I know what's coming next in their time," Meriella whispered, her voice strained. "Arlene is going home to Arnold, and soon my father will do horrible things that lead to my death. I'm only alive because of that orb. The power is in me". I was shocked by what Meriella said, but I knew now was not the time and place to discuss this further. I would make time when this mess was over to comfort her.
I took her face in my hands, seeing her tears well up. I knew there was nothing I could say to change the past nor the future, but the best I could do was to ensure Arlene got home safely with the orb and keep this version of Meriella alive. I wouldn't allow her to experience death again. I gently kissed her forehead and scooped her up in my arms. My best bet was carrying her and using full speed. We flew past the Temporal Guardians, and I felt like time slowed down for a moment; the leader's eyes and mine met. We leaped through the portal, Meriella holding onto me tightly, but the Temporal Guardians were relentless.
They chased us, their spears flying through the portal. I used my acute sense of smell to track our surroundings, avoiding each spear with grace. I saw Arlene made it into her home and closed the door behind her. So I knew that part of the past was still on track. I looked at Meriella, her eyes fixed on me in my arms, with a mixture of fear and trust, but suddenly we were pulled backward by some force. The Temporal Guardians must possess a special power. What is this...?
Before we knew it, we were back in the cave, and the portal was closed. Meriella was suddenly unconscious in my arms. Was it the portal jumping that was too much for her? I was worried. She was heating up, and there was a strange glow emanating from her chest. I needed to get to the entrance where our main portal awaited so I could get Meriella to a doctor or something!. I spun on my heels and ran as fast as I could. We were almost at the entrance when the leader of the Temporal Guardians caught up to us. He was enormous, and his spear seemed to be aimed directly at my heart. A small space away from Meriella's face.
I recalled the look of trust she had in her eyes before she passed out. I can't let her down. I jumped backward and saw he closed the portal, removing our exit route. I placed Meriella down on the ground. I knew I had to act fast. I focused my energy and unleashed a powerful kick, using my speed and agility to evade the warrior's attack. The kick sent the warrior flying across the desert. I could sense his army was close by, and our ordeal was far from over. The warriors emerged from the cave, their eyes fixed on us with a fierce determination. They were not going to let us leave without a fight. I looked behind me at Meriella, still unconscious on the ground, the sand blowing a whirlwind around her. It seemed to spiral upward. What was happening?
I didn't have the time to worry about that; the warriors engaged in combat from all sides. My job was to keep them away from Meriella.
I used my speed and agility to dodge their attacks. The air was electric with anticipation as I faced off against the Temporal Guardians. The Guardians, with their sleek, silver armor and piercing blue eyes, exuded an aura of confidence and power. I looked over my shoulder, and Meriella was levitating, her hair flowing and turned silver. She was radiant, like the embodiment of the celestial orb. As her feet touched the ground, the Temporal Guardians were sent backward by the force emanating from her. I stood proudly beside her, ready to take them all on.