Chapter 4, What are the Guardians?

We departed early morning today, but it's already twilight and we still haven't found Hermes Town.

"Is something wrong?" I asked them as they stopped.

"Well, it seems someone got us flying in the wrong direction." Veronica-san sighed as she glared at Jason-san. "If we turn back now we still wouldn't be able to reach Hermes Town till the next day."

"So we're camping out right?" I asked a little too excitedly.

"Yeah. For now, we'll head back and cover as much ground as we can before dusk." Jason-san said.

"I understand." I said. "But, which is the right way?"

"Backwards." Misa-san said and I turned back.

We flew there towards the direction till finally the sun set. We landed on an open area by the road and made camp. While Jason-san and Veronica-san started a fire I scouted out the area to make sure there weren't any monsters nearby.

When I had returned, a fire was burning brightly and a pot was boiling above it. Inside was a stew, looks like they're cooking. I sat down by the fire before looking at the night sky which was lighted by the crescent moon and vibrant stars. A river of stars, it reminds me of Eridanus.

"What're you looking at?" Veronica-san said as she handed me a bowl.

"The stars." I answered. "I don't really need to eat."

"Just eat it. We made too much." Jason-san said so I accepted it. "Which ones are you looking at?"

"Eridanus, the river of stars." I answered him as I pointed to the constellation above our heads.

"Which one the Northern Star again?" Misa-san asked so I pointed to it.

"It's the brightest one in the Ursa Minor constellation." I told her. "You can't see it right now though."

"Do you like the stars?" Veronica-san asked.

"Yeah." I answered and stood up. "The stars guide the travellers after all."

"That's true." Jason-san said. "We barely have time to look at them here though."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"The nation isn't really stable, everyone and everything within it's borders are under major threats." Misa-san said. "Like being destroyed by another nation or a coup."

"Is that so?" I looked at the crescent moon above and I felt a pang in my chest. "Haruki..."

"Is that your brother's name?" Veronica-san asked.

"Yeah. Haruki. In our homeland it menas spring tree." I said.

"Do you miss him?" Jason-san asked.

"Yeah. I want to see him. I want to be with him. We finally got to see each other again but we were seperated yet again."

"What's he like? What's your life like back home?" Misa-san asked.

"Haruki is the kindest most gentle hearted person you'll ever meet. He is brave but sometimes forgets about the dangers." I answered. "He is strong but he can make us worry about him. He is reckless, chikdish and possessive of what's his. He is heroic and always gives his best for his friends."

"You really love your brother don't you?" Jason-san and patted my head. "Must be nice, having siblings."

"What about everyone else? Do you have any siblings?" I asked.

"I have a younger sister, she's studying in Athena City." Misa-san said. "But, sometimes I'm worried she'll never enjoy anything beisdes reading books."

"None." Veronica-san said. "I don't have any."

"Same goes for me." Jason-san said. "I'm from Dionysus Town by the way."

"And I'm from Persephone Town." Veronica-san said.

"I was born in Artemis Town but I grew up in Apollo City." Misa-san answered.

"I've been meaning to ask but what are the Guardians?" I asked.

"You've never heard of them?!" They exclaimed.

"Yeah. As far as I know, the highest ranking existences in our world are the last of the Heroes' Descendants." I said. From what I know, the Heroes' Descendant > Familairs > Demon Lords > Ancient Dragons > First Spirits. That's how they're organized if I'm not mistaken.

"That's not true!! Our Guardians are the highest ranking beings in our world!!" Misa-san exclaimed. "Each represents something and bestow a power to someone."

"Hmmm... what do they look like?" I asked them.

"As far as I know, they've never appeared physically. We can only hear their voices." Veronica-san said. "Now, I have a question for you."

"What is it?" I asked.

"What's the Heroes' Descendant?" She asked and this time I was the one who was surprised.

"Well, the Heroes' Descendant is someone who was believed to be born from the bloodline of the Heroes and is the strongest Hero to ever be born." I answered, well, maybe some of it was bragging about Haruki.

"We've never heard of it." They answered.

"Maybe it's because we don't live in the same continent." I muttered. "Anyways, how many are there?"

"We don't know, only a few are here, in legend there were more of them. Some must be sleeping." Jason-san said.

"They're from an ancient bygone era or so they tell us." Misa-san added. I'm growing more curious if them. "They're power differs from each Guardian, Hestia for example is the Guardian of the Hearth Fire, Athena is the Guardian of Knowledge. And Hermes, the one guarding the town we're going to is the Guardian of Trade and Travels."

"Why are they here exactly?" I asked.

"They're apparently protecting the people from the Titans." Jason-san sighed.

"Titans?" I echoed. "Giants?"

"No. Worse. They're unlike the Giant race, they're monsters, they slaughter humans and use them for entertainment." Veronica-san said. "It's a legend."

"Long, long, ago, human fought amongst themwelves, civilations and nations destroyed and rebuilt in an endless cycle only to learn that the Titans were using them for amusement." Jason-san said. "After learning of this, the humans turned to the Guardians, beings who were like the Titans but believed that what they did was wrong. They defeated the Titans and slept in various towns to protect them should the Titans return."

"I wanna learn more about them. When we get to town maybe I'll go to a library or bookstore." I said and just then felt a gentle breeze blow my hair.

I looked up and saw the crescent moon above head. What are the Guardians? Where did they come from and what kind of power do they wield? I'll find out when I go to the town. I'll learn all I can while I'm travelling. For Haruki and myself.