The Four Guardians

After the time limit for the recruitment ended the Four Guardians all gathered back inside the tower and waited for the Demon King to inform them of who won.

"So… how many did everything think they got?" Ifer attempted to break the silence. As it was now night time he decided to go and change into his pyjamas for the night and was ready to go back to sleep as soon as he found out what the prize was.

"Did you even leave this building?" Sagitta said

"Nope! I just slept and had a great dream, I wanna try and continue the dream from where I left off. Tempus, do you think you can use some magic to make me have the same dream?"

"I mean… It's possible…" Tempus shied away and didn't want to cause any arguments, he was happy to just be hanging out with his fellow Guardians.

"Well, I don't know why you two are bothering to even try! It's obvious my speech reached our youth and inspired them to join!"

"Whatever… Just wait in silence people are trying to sleep and you have a loud voice."

The Guardians sat and waited for the results. Tempus started to read a book that was left by one of the workers in a shop below whilst Sagitta and Ifer poured themselves a hot drink to help themselves sleep easier. After waiting for almost an hour a messenger walked in and without saying anything left an envelope on the table, the Guardians watched as he awkwardly entered and left without making eye contact.

Ifer walked over to read what it said.

"To the Guardians,

Thank you for filling my selfish request, as promised, I shall tell you the winner and the prize. The sector that had the most recruits was the East Sector."

Before Ifer could finish reading Sagitta jumped out of her seat and screamed

"HELL YEAH!"

After realising what she just said she looked around and saw everyone's judging eyes and tried to turn back into her regular professional image.

"Can I continue…"

"Yes, please tell me what I have won?"

"As the victor, I have worked out a prize for you. Outside the door sits a small pack of cards acquired from the human world. It is important that since you are all not only important political figures within the Demon Realm but also as the strongest you enjoy yourselves as much as you can whilst you are still growing."

"Huh… playing cards… human playing cards…"

Sagitta was defeated and fell to the ground and crushed her fist against it trying to hide her exaggerated pain.

"Oh sweet! Hey Tempus, know any cool Card Games we can play tomorrow night?"

"I-i know a few…"

"Great! Well, I'm off to bed, see you all tomorrow!" Ifer left and took the prize with him.

"Tsk...Congrats on your win! I shall beat you next time, Sagitta." Mane left without saying much, he refused to look at her.

Tempus stood awkwardly as he looked at Sagitta who was still on her knees, he didn't know what to do and tried to quickly and quietly leave before the situation became more awkward or Sagitta tried to use him as a punching bag.

# # #

Inside the North Sector's Room, Tempus is greeted by his Puppet Guardian who watches over the North Sector whilst he is away.

Thorit is Tempus' trusted Puppet Guardian, a small Demon Imp who used to serve the original Guardian of the South. He watches over the North Sector and communicates to the people of the Sector about any changes. With the help of his trusty team of politicians, they all meet with Tempus regularly to inform him of any issues and problems, without them the North Sector would be in chaos.

"We appear to have some issues, Master Tempus."

"What is it? Is the vault ok?"

"Yes. As instructed no one has gone near the vault and no one will ever go near it."

"Good… So what's the problem?"

"We believe there to be an increase in crimes involving foreign races. Recently a large number of humans have been discriminated against and are being attacked by Demons that have either just returned from another nation or Demons that are passing between the East and West Sectors."

"Where are the Demons that have returned come from?"

"According to what the General at the gate was telling me, a large amount has recently returned from an Orc village up north."

"I see… Well, I guess we have been on good terms with the Orcs… It makes sense for some Demons to be interested… I guess no matter what they still can't stand humans..."

Tempus' Identity was only known by the Demon King, the other Guardians, his Puppet Guardian and a few of the high ranking Demons in the North's Police Force. The Guardians must follow many rules, one of these rules stopped the Guardian's from interacting with each other's sectors and exposing them.

The rules were strict but to keep a balance and to make the other Nations happy, they had to be created.

"Tomorrow I shall go down and investigate and see from a civilian point of view. Whilst I'm gone the normal protocols are in place."

"Of course, the rules forbid me from doing anything without your permission. You Guardian's will always have the final say."

Thorit trusted Tempus and Tempus trusted him. Tempus didn't want to overwork him and would often take on any issues himself. He was always anxious about what other's opinions of the North Sector were and when it came to protecting his people, he would do anything.

# # #

The following afternoon with the sun directly above, Tempus left the Guardian's Tower and wandered around the North Sector.

The North was built with other Nations in mind, designed by Tempus it featured buildings that looked like old Human inns and featured many different businesses and shops seen throughout the world. Tempus wanted a place where anyone could gather and not have to worry, he wished for a utopia that no other nation could accomplish.

Tempus walked down the streets and watched as people worked, tourists were joyfully spending money at local shops with their children learning about Demonic Food and Culture. Tempus approached a human drink stand and decided to buy a drink to help blend in as a tourist.

He continued to walk whilst listening to the worries of the people, unable to find anyone complaining.

In the distance was the town centre, a popular place for Humans to gather. There was a large crowd standing around, most of the crowd consisted of Demons and Tempus could feel the anxiety inside them.

As he got closer he heard more clearly what was happening.

"Why don't you go home! You don't belong here!"

A red demon stood at the centre of the crowd shouting at two teenage girls who were laying on the ground covered in dirt.

"We don't want you here! Go back to where you came from! You, humans, are sc.u.m, from the day you are born you are just an inferior species, time has shown that you are nothing more than a pathetic race that can't do anything right. You should all be killed on the spot!"

"What was that?"

One of the girls stood up as the other backed down.

"No… Eva… it's ok…"

"Don't worry Tia… I'll protect us!"

Eva pulled out a magic wand and prepared herself to fight, the red Demon took a step back and laughed at her.

"You think you can beat me? What can a shitty human do?"

The red demon ran forward charging into her.

Eva started to conjure a spell, a small fireball appeared at the tip of her wand as she channelled her mana into it.

Tempus who was watching from the crowd was unsure of what to do at first, however, after seeing the girl cast a spell he decided to intervene and stood in between them both.

"Huh?" Eva stopped channelling her spell, as to not harm the person in front of her.

The demon noticed that a new human had got involved and halted his charge.

"Oi! What are you doing! Do you have a death wish or something?!"

Tempus stood looking at the demon with the straw to his drink in his mouth. Unamused of the whole situation.

"I take it you came over from the East?" Tempus asked.

"What of it? I'm proud to be from the East! Human's like you should all go back to where you came from!"

"I see… Well… I'll have to ask you to stop… I would prefer if there weren't any problems…"

"HA! You think you can take me on?" The Demon revealed a small dagger hidden in his pocket.

"You're all dead!" The Demon charged towards Tempus as quickly as he could with the dagger in hand preparing to swing.

Tempus stood unfazed by what was happening and instead carried on drinking.

The dagger was inches away from Tempus' neck, stuck in place along with the Demon.

"What!? Why can't I move?"

Tempus' held open his book in his other hand, glowing a light yellow colour similar to before.

"I don't want to fight… but if you want to carry on I guess I can fight you… I wouldn't recommend it though..."

Tempus released the Demon from the spell who immediately jumped back pocketing the dagger.

"Tsk… I don't know who you are but I guess I'll let you live for today. Consider yourself lucky!"

The Demon left and the crowd slowly started to disperse, ignoring everything they just witnessed, not wanting anything to do with the humans.

Tempus turned around to look at the two girls who were attacked. Eva stood behind Tempus shocked of what she had just witnessed, whilst Tia sat on the ground looking up at Tempus and slowly began to stand.

"T-thanks…" Eva said.

"No worries, I just saw you guys were in trouble and thought I should help you out..."

"I'm Eva… the girl behind me is Tia...don't worry about her she is shy."

Tia's hair reminded Tempus of Sagitta. Tia's long pearl black hair looked perfectly clean regardless of what just happened.

"I'm Tempus… as you can tell I'm human just like you… if you don't mind me asking? What are you two doing here?"

"Tia is interested in Demon Culture, we are both training to be mages at the Human Magia Academy and thought we could learn something here."

Tempus was shocked to have heard the name of his old Academy again and had no idea that the place was still around.

Despite its name, the Magia Academy isn't only for mages. It has produced hundreds of famous fighters and spellcasters all who have their names in history books. The name was famous and because of this has a difficult acceptance rate, only the best of the best are given the ability to audition, and then after several combat tests, you are accepted.

"Ah, I see... " Tempus said "If you want, I can show you guys around? I've lived here for a few years so I know some good places?"

Eva was sceptical at first, but Tia was tugging on the back of her shirt bouncing up and down excited to explore the Demon Sector.

"Sigh… Sure…"