Chapter 4 - The Origins
The man took a deep breath and began talking.
“Tomas…you see…ugh…how do I put it…..you’re special. Your whole family is special.â€
From that, it seemed that the Time Guardian felt more confident and resumed talking.
“Didn’t you ever wonder where your parents go for work? Didn’t you ever wonder how they died?â€
Tomas felt heavy pain surge through his body as the man mentioned the death of his parents. The death of his parents was really harsh to him. He always came home from school, looking for his parents. But now…they’re gone. But the man is right…the news just broke out but…no one in the family told him how they died or where they worked or what they did for a job. This lack of knowledge about his parents seemed to confuse Tomas. He felt…angry. Angry that he never realized how less he knew about his parents.
“No….no I don’t.â€
“I figured. Anyways, it all started when your great-great-great whatever grandpa found a relic when he was adventuring the ruins in Africa.†The man replied enthusiastically while he stroked his short beard.
“You see, your great-great-great-great grandfather was one heck of an adventurer. He traveled all around the world, searching for treasures and such. So to get to the point, the relic he found was actually a lost key. A key to a world…a galaxy unknown to man…he found it.â€
“Yeah….So what does it have to do with anything?†Tomas interrupted.
“Be quiet boy and just listen to the whole story.†The man snapped back.
Tomas kept silent and just listened.
“Your grandpa didn’t know what to do with it. But somehow…he knew it was special. And so, he tried to figure it out. He knocked on it, he talked to it, he punched it…..he did everything that he could think of to it. But he never tried one thing until the last day of his trip to Africa. He threw it in the gap between the two pillars on the ruins. The relic seemed to vanish and the swirly white stuff appeared. He was curious and jumped in. He did not know that he was being warped into a different dimension….my dimension…the Dimensions of Time.â€
“The what?!â€
“Didn’t I tell to keep quiet? The Dimensions of Time is like…um…a place where there are portals so you could go back or go ahead of time. The thing is, if you enter these portals, you are not…invisible to those in that time slot. Therefore, it is my job to not let anyone go in the portals. In result though, I get to control time…†he said as he made a vertical line with his staff. Then, a swirly portal opened and a vision where he appeared with Tomas’s grandma.
Tomas could not believe his eyes. It was true then. All this carp…well, maybe not carp anymore.
“There you go…proof. Ah…to get to the real point. The Dimensions of Time was not really safe before and I wasn’t only the Guardian. Before me, there were a lot others. The thing is…before, there was no guardian to protect the dimension because everything was peaceful…well, not until Arum came anyway. Arum was just a demon…a stray demon who no one knows where he came from. Arum just suddenly Arum just appeared in the dimension and mixed up the time. Boy that was troublesome to fix according to the books. Those in the early time slot suddenly wore robot suits and those in the future time slots…well…they got turned into dinosaurs. That was when they decided to appoint a guardian to protect the portals. The original guardian was your great-great-great-great grandpa Tomas.â€
“But I thought…â€
“You thought it was impossible for your grandpa to be a guardian when he just discovered the realm?â€
“Yes…..â€
“Haha! All the former guardians before me thought so too! But really, he was picked for the job by the Headmasters of the Elements.â€
“Umm….these headmasters are?â€
“Basically, they are the protectors of the galaxy. Now, your parents died because…†he started, the tone of hesitation clearly flowed through his words.
“They were the next in line guardians. I am supposed to be retired by now. But….a servant of Arum just appeared out of nowhere and attacked the dimension again. I….wasn’t there…I didn’t get to protect Rino and Talna…I’m so sorry boy…I…†the man cried, tears slowly sliding down from his eyes.
Tomas felt pride and sadness build up in his body. He felt proud that his parents died protecting something but…he felt sad….because…they died. The sadness overcame the pride though and Tomas unknowingly shed tears.
“Boy…you’re….the next-in-line. That’s why I’m here. Please do consider it…I…I don’t know what to say anymore….Besides you and your family; I think I’m the next closest to your parents. I’ve been with them for like…forever, teaching them how to control time and training them……â€
“I understand if you do not want to do it…it must be hard for you Tomas since-“ the man was interrupted by Tomas.
“I’ll do it…the least I can do for them is carry on their duties.â€
“You’ll do it?! Seriously?!â€
“Yeah…I’m doing it for them….I don’t like to put their death in vain and…I want revenge on the guy who killed them…and Arum.â€
“Woah woah woah…slow down. Think of revenge later and let’s focus on the training. I understand that you want revenge but Arum is very strong. If you die in the process of avenging your parents, then you’ll just be putting your parents’ death in vain. Don’t be stupid and act wisely.â€
“Well…since we got that all cleared up then I suggest you go to your grandma and bid goodbye because we should really be leaving to start your training.â€
“Yah sure…I’ll go to her…â€
“Grandma…er…um….the Time Guardian told me everything and-“
“And you agreed to go. Goodbye dear. Good luck on your journey and take care.â€
“Yes…goodbye grandma…â€
Tomas turned around and walked back to the Guardian.
“You ready?â€
Tomas nodded and the Guardian took his hand. The Guardian used his other hand and swished his staff upwards. A purple aura engulfed them both and soon enough, they were floating. Tomas felt very excited. Will he be able to do this too? Will I be strong now? He did not know but all he knew was that another portal opened and they soared in it; his great adventure was about to start.
Hahaha...now here is a surprise.
^Yup..That's a drawing of the Time Guardian. I'll make some more for the other characters.