2 days before the monthly check in began
All the wardens were going.
To the province capital like Augustus mentioned.
One large black carriage rode through the grassy landscape in the dead night.
The carriage itself was unusually wide, its windows on all sides tinted dark. A dim purple glow illuminated it from within—subtle, but enough to reveal four sleek, smooth silhouettes curled around one big, burly figure.
Groans and moans emanated from the carriage from time to time. Only the two men at the front heard them—drivers clad in full black leather Armor, their faces, forward and silent.
One of them held the reins. The other slumped forward, his head in his hands.
"Is he really doing that for the fifth time today, Captain?"
The Captain sighed. "Yes, he is, Lieutenant. Yes, he is."
A cigarette floated slowly into the Captain's mouth.
The Lieutenant sat back, looking up at the sky. "Why is the Obsidian Warden such a womanizer? I thought he was cool…"
As he spoke, the Captain lifted one hand off the reins and pointed his finger at the cigarettes tip. A straight burst of ember shot from his fingertip, calmly lighting it.
"I mean, I know he's one of the Gallantry Commanders, but how could a guy like that even qualify to become a Warden?"
Once the cigarette lit, it floated away from the Captain's mouth as he blew out the single ember sprouting from his finger.
"It doesn't even feel or look like he cares about Crertin City at all. All he cares about is his own pleasure. Ever since I joined a year ago, he barely knows his own people. The city runs on the bare minimum of resources—we're constantly running out—and we can't go to him because all he does is fool around with women all day. Even if we do catch him, he just chases us away." The Lieutenant sighed in frustration.
The Captain inhaled deeply and blew out a large puff of smoke.
"You know, he wasn't always like this."
The Lieutenant looked over at the Captain, quiet with curiosity.
"He was once the most awe-inspiring person I've ever known. His strength was insurmountable, his passion to fight for the people burned bright—even in the most unfavourable odds…" He took another draw.
The Lieutenant sat up, absorbing each word like a wet sponge.
"So what exactly happened?" he asked
The Captain blew out smoke. "Power. Control."
He coughed and sniffed, continuing. "It corrupted him. You see, when you're given the position of Warden, you control a whole city—along with its army. And a commander like Obsidian, who's revered around Viscura... who would dare oppose him?"
"But how would that corrupt him? Isn't that just more responsibility? If anything, shouldn't he be motivated to do better?"
The Captain took a longer draw of his cigarette, holding his breath.
When he finally spoke, his voice was measured.
"Yeah, that's true. But that's exactly why I think there's another factor at play."
He exhaled softly, releasing a large cloud of smoke.
"Oh? And what's that?" the Lieutenant asked.
"Age."
He tapped the cigarette against the wooden bar in front of him. The ashes scattered, washed away by the wind.
The Lieutenant looked confused.
The captain continued "You see Arconians, physically through there life, will always be more dominant than other races, but to stop their body from degrading the soul at around the age of 35. There own soul begins to feed the body with mana and eventually its own energy. To sustain their innate physically prowess, for the last 5 years of their life until their flame of life completely runs out.
"So… you're saying that with his inevitable death looming and this powerful position he was given, he lost sight of his old ways and decided to damn it all—do whatever he pleased?"
"Eh… you're getting there."
"What? What else could it be?" the lieutenant jumped in confusion
"Think you might need to go back to the old books there, Donny."
"I think you're just bad at explaining things, Captain… seriously." He said it begrudgingly.
"Okay, but you asked me, so don't get your leather Armor in a bunch."
"Whatever—"
A noise from inside the carriage interrupted them.
"Ladies, ladies, softly now, softly now!" The large silhouette gave a hearty laugh.
They both deadpanned, a hint of disgust on their faces.
Another cigarette floated toward Lieutenant Donny's mouth. The Captain brought his finger over, lighting it the same way he'd lit his own.
Sitting back, the Lieutenant inhaled and exhaled, letting out some smoke.
"How long till we get there, Captain?"
"We got a long two days ahead of us, partner...Also don't worry to much, Lieutenant. You'll get used to it. I did."
A symphony of loud moans erupted from the carriage.
The captain hit his head against the wooden bar at the front of the carriage, keeping it down in shame.
"Yeah, right. Haha." The Lieutenant chuckled, more smoke leaving his mouth.
They kept riding off into the distance…
A day ahead of them was another carriage—grand in size, like a mini home. Pulling behind it was a large storage carriage, shaking with goods.
In front was a horse beast that stood at an imposing 219.7 cm, its bulky frame adorned with a mane of light grey and gold, contrasting against its deep ash-coloured coat. It ran heaving, pulling both big carriages by itself.
Inside the first carriage was a large space with five windows spaced out on each side. Long cushioned benches sat under the windows, running from the back of the carriage to the front on both sides. A big chandelier hung from the ceiling, and medium bronze pipes ran through the whole thing, radiating heat. A very thin and long dining table sat in the middle—gold adorned with nicely furnished wood.
Someone sat in each seat.
All four watched as a big man in long gold clothing that draped down to his feet, with a gold hat on, poured beast egg sauce on his large turkey and started to devour it, ripping it piece from piece.
The rest were so disgusted they didn't even touch their food.
He ate as if their eyes weren't on him.
"Sort yourselves now." he hissed
Everyone straightened up—except one.
She looked bored. She had a comb-over with half her hair black and the other half dark blue. Her eyes were a big patch of dark blue that faded into black. Her skin was a golden light brown. Her clothes were simple: brown leather Armor that fastened around her fit body, with a white cloak draped around her. She wore a bored, expressionless face.
Behind her, a woman walked in from the other carriage.
She had one blue eye and one light pink eye. She had pink hair with parts of it—mainly the ends—being a dark pastel blue, and other parts shaped like diamonds. A small black monocle sat on her nose. She had cherry lips and freckles to match. A pen and big old book were in her hand.
She was quite expressionless as she walked in.
But the Warden's ears perked up as soon as she entered.
"Oh, Pastel! How is my stock?" he asked while stuffing his face with food. The words came out with bits flying from his mouth.
"All your 500 pieces of Meridia merchandise and requests are present and in good condition. All the details are written down in this book, like you asked of me, Shallow Warden."
"Good, good."
She opened the book to a certain page and tried to hand it over to him, but he held his hand up. With his other hand, he used the bib he had on to wipe his hands, then threw it away and took out a new one.
"Not right now. I am busy at the moment…"
"Are you sure, sir? Do you trust in my work?" Pastel said plainly.
"Yes, yes. I trust in your work, Pastel…" He waved his hand toward her.
She didn't respond. Instead, she just backed away slowly, bending down as she went. Then, standing back up, she observed the Shallow Warden.
"Hey, are you simpletons going to eat those?"
He tucked in a new white cloth as a bib and took the others' plates, dumping them onto his own and grabbing everything—except the blue woman's food—not giving them a chance to say a thing.
"Sir," a captain piped up.
But the Warden didn't even budge.
"Uh… sir—"
The woman darted her eyes to the side. "Just speak, dammit. You're a captain—act like it." Her voice was stern.
He stuttered the words out. "Pardon my words of ignorance, my Warden, but why do we have to be here again?"
They all looked toward the Warden.
He coughed, and pieces of food went flying into the blue woman's food—though she didn't seem to care as she kept her eyes on him.
"I don't need protection. I need you all to help me with the distribution of the merchandise and goods. Usually, it would just be me, Pastel, and Rakira, but I'm doing a lot more requests this check-up than usual. So I need extra hands. That's all."
He grabbed a bowl of hot soup and downed it in one go.
Rakira's stern voice spoke again. "Whoever wants to speak, speak now."
"Uh… pardon my words, Warden, but why would we leave the city of Merida so unprotected like that?"
"Foolish question! Why would anyone think of attacking me? I have too many connections. Along with that, I am one of the commanders in the Order of Nobility—heavily revered across Viscura. I am invincible! Not even adding on the point that I am an extremely valuable asset to anyone who wants it. Hahaha!"
"No one would dare either way. I left Gung there, and he will take care of anyone who steps out of line—inside or outside. Along with all your lieutenants."
"Pastel, how long do we have till we get there?"
"A day, Shallow Warden."
He grabbed a watermelon slice and nibbled on it, satisfied with his meal.
They all went quiet.
Both carriages got their shallows wardens first then the obsidian wardens.
As for the last warden—he was late by two days.
He was currently traveling there.
No carriage, because he flew above the clouds, arms crossed.
His black greasy hair flowed briskly through the wind, and so did his cape, gently.
He wore a green linen outfit with brown leather boots and a large satchel that sat on his hip, hooked onto his leather belt. Air flowed around him as he glided through the sky.
The air was at peace, and so was he.
He cruised through the air effortlessly, looking forward confidently with a slight smile on his lips. The sun rayed on his face.
Something big was rummaging inside his shirt.
He calmly called out, "Freya, you okay in there?"
A little girl popped out from inside his blouse. She held onto his crossed arms and stuck her head through the gap between them, her body still confined in his shirt.
"Yeah, Daddy, I'm fine! I just couldn't find my way out."
The golden rays of the sun graced every cloud, including them.
As the rays hit her face, her eyes didn't follow. They stayed still, calm, fixed on nothing at all.
"Can you feel the breeze, Freya?"
She took in her surroundings, breathing in. "Yeah, I feel it, Dad! It's so warm and soothing!"
Her father's smile widened.
"Well, get ready for a big shift. We're going to land."
She turned her head toward the sound of his voice above her.
"What are you talking about, Dad?"
They started to slowly tilt diagonally.
She felt the unusual shift and instantly realized. "DADDY, NOT THIS AGAIN!" she screamed.
The wind got stronger, but it didn't disturb the father. He flew diagonally down toward the capital.
Freya was scared at first, but she started to like it. She lifted her arms up, screaming with excitement. "Woooohoooo! Keep going, Dad!"
Her father gritted his teeth as he sped up, the wind getting even more violent—but it still didn't disturb his being at all. Not his clothes, nor his body, not even his daughter.
Then, closer to the ground, he spun mid-air and landed on his feet. A large gale broke their descent.
He put Freya down immediately.
"Was that fun, Freya?"
She wobbled around and almost fell, but he caught her.
"Yup! Super fun, Dad! You're the best!"
He gave a hearty laugh.
Then he heard faint snoring.
He looked down, smiled, and crouched, lifting her up in his arms.
"My daughter, you must have been really tired after all the things we did today." He said it as he walked and entered a large castle.
A man dressed in a suit and tie—black and white, scarring on his face—stood facing the door as it flung open, a burst of wind rushing out.
"Warden Galerius, you have arrived."
"Yeah. Can I get a room now, please?" He said it bluntly.
"Right this way, sir."
The castle interior was massive. It had pristinely furnished wood for all railings, floors, and ceilings, with a distinguished pattern of squares that ran along some walls. Chandeliers lit up every space. If there was no space, then a lantern stuck on the wall would suffice.
They walked up a staircase.
As they did, the butler glanced back at Galerius.
Galerius looked unbothered as he held his daughter gently.
When they got to the top: "Where is my room?"
"Right across this hall, sir."
They went across the hall.
Galerius sighed.
*He's taking me the long way,* he thought to himself.
They reached an array of rooms.
"Which one is it?"
The butler remained quiet and kept walking
They reached a door, and the butler stood beside it.
*Not going to open the door?* he wondered in his head
A burst of wind blew the doors inward, open.
Galerius walked in and shut them back closed.
A massive room appeared—a large bed. He placed his daughter down on it and tucked her in.
He looked at her, fast asleep, and smiled.
"Despite what happened between me and your mother, I would never let that deter me from being in your life."
He kissed her on the forehead and smiled. "I love you, Freya. Have a great sleep."
Freya, still fast asleep, felt the warmth and smiled.
Galerius stood up, moved on, and shut the door behind him. Looking around, he saw the butler already halfway down the corridor.
He quickly speed-walked up.
"Alright, butler… state your problem."
"It's nothing."
"Butler," Galerius said.
"Honest, Warden Galerius—how could me, a mere servant, ever have a problem with someone as valiant as you?"
"Spit it out, butler. Out with it. My patience is running thin!"
"Well, if you must know, it's just… some of us have lives, you know? Some of us don't want to wait hours for you to get to the capital every check-up."
"Stop being petty! This only happens every four months. Man up!"
The butler's face scrunched up in annoyance. Still facing forward, he ranted,
"Very well… but how can one dubbed the strongest in all of Tristian act with so little worth or professionalism? The other wardens seemed to get here just on time, but you… oh, honestly! How could you make the council wait like that?"
Galerius clapped back immediately,
"First, the moments I get with my daughter are precious—I don't see her every day. And second, don't you dare compare me to those two worthless scumbags… Sometimes I wonder how they're still even wardens. And lastly, I am the strongest, and it's up to me how that's shown, not you!"
Galerius facepalmed, exasperated.
The butler shot him a look dripping with petty disdain, then returned his eyes to the road ahead.
"What? Did I say too much?" Galerius wondered.
The butler didn't answer. He gestured with his hand, showing him the door. "Enter, so I can introduce you and get out of here."
"Okay, fine… but hey, next time I'll try and be quicker, alright?"
…He says that every check-up… the butler thought.
The butler rolled his eyes. "Just enter, please."
A darkly lit room. Torches of blue flame lit the inside of this spherical sanctuary.
All six council members sat along with the two other wardens, each with two of their own behind them.
Galerius entered.
They all looked to him.
The butler at the door announced him.
"Council, the Wind Warden—Galerius—has arrived."
"Let him in."
Galerius walked in, unbothered, and sat down.
A council member tapped his finger.
Galerius looked confused.
"Old geezer, spit it out."
One old council member grumbled. "You're late. Again."
"Oh yeah—" Galerius said knowingly.
"I don't want to hear it. Next time you do this, I will be telling the Regional Master."
The other wardens smirked and scoffed quietly.
Galerius just stretched, yawning.
"Okay, okay. Can we just get this meeting over with?"
He took something out of his leather bag.
"These are the monthly condition reports for the city of Galela."
He slid papers across the table to them.
They all looked and divided them between each other, muttering and meditating on them.
"Everything should be okay, but there is something I want to request."
They all stopped muttering. The middle council member darted his eyes up to him.
"Go on."
"I would like to request a resource increase."
Some of the council members grunted and sneered.
"Resources and supplies have been low because so many people have been trying to come live in Galela. Due to this, we've begun to expand to accommodate them in Galela. And due to the influx of people, we've decided to host a big event to give everyone new a warm welcome when we finish expanding."
Another council member slammed his fist. "Don't you have enough space and community events already?!"
Galerius replied calmly. "It's to make sure everyone integrates well into the city, so they stay. So it's in the people's best interest that you give us an increase."
Another council member snarled at Galerius, turning away in frustration.
Galerius just crossed his arms and slouched back.
The old council member said, "Those in favor of a resources and supplies increase for the city of Galela, raise thy hand."
Three out of six council members raised their hands.
The old council member continued. "We will discuss this matter privately, then come back to you tomorrow."
Galerius remained quiet, nodding his head.
"Alright, are we done here?!" the Obsidian Warden shouted.
The old council member sighed. "You are all dismissed."
Galerius returned to the room.
He heard Freya crying.
He rushed in, shutting the door behind him.
"What is it, Freya?"
"Dad, the teddy Mommy bought me—I left it!"
The realization slowly set in, where it was.
"I'll be right back! Don't worry," he reassured her.
She smiled back at him.
He launched into the air without hesitation.
Faster than before, he soared like a comet, the wind currents stronger against him now.
He blitzed past the city of Crertin and Meridia.
"I'm a terrible father. How could I let her forget something!" he panicked.
He finally reached the city of Galela.
Something felt off to Galerius in the city, but he was so single-minded in his determination he brushed it off.
He burst into the top of his tower and started rummaging, trying to find the bear.
"I can't find it, dammit!"
Faint noises echoed—soft laughing and muttering.
"Who?" he whispered, shutting himself up.
The voices got clearer.
"Okay, guys, I'll have to pour tea for everyone then."
"Careful, it's hot."
"There's a bit of pie on your face."
As he crept down through the tower to the middle floor, reaching the kitchen, he heard more…
"One… two… three… four… five!"
"Five spoonfuls, Pinky!"
He heard the clattering of jaws, like celebration, and growls of celebration, and the sloshing of food.
He opened the kitchen door.
A big cauldron with goop seeping out of it—steam and bubbles oozing from it.
Zero sat at one side at the top of a thick, long table. A teddy bear sat on the table next to his plate. His plate was filled with a grey pie.
Five bone walkers sat on one side of the table, and five thralls sat on the other side.
The thralls ate the pie ravenously, while the bone walkers served themselves tea, pouring the hot tea into their non-existent mouths. It literally went through them and onto their chairs.
And Zero fed the now dirty and bloody teddy bear spoonful's of the pie, which went in through a small cut hole in the teddy bear's mouth—usually where the stuffing would be. But instead, mushy bits of the black goopy pie mixed with its stuffing, fur, blood, and random things oozed out of its mouth.
Galerius just looked at all this, overwhelmed, trying to take it all in.
Zero looked at him—surprised at first, but then he composed himself. "Oh, hey! Are you trying to join the party? There's a seat right next to Captain Number 4. Or, if you'd rather, there's a seat next to Lieutenant Number 2." Zero's grin widened maddeningly. His eyes glowed deviously with no remorse.
A moment passed as all of this started to click in Galerius's head. He became so enraged—
A large hole burst straight through the tower. Zero came flying right out of it, landing on the ground, his feet skidding.
He looked shocked as Galerius the Wind Warden's mana surged incredibly from the tower.
"This might be a problem," he said, smirking. "Fun."