The Four Guardians

In the further reaches of the land. Past the murderous tundra, there stayed an isolated glow. The glow led explores on their path to find greatness. Some say it leads them to what they d.e.s.i.r.e most, others say it leads you to your death, and neither of those was false.

The glow belonged to an ice spirit who wished to play with those who entered. The spirit would entertain you until you have satisfied its hunger for play. If you fail to do so, you would freeze to death and join the hundreds that tried before you. At this current moment in time, only one man had accomplished such a feat. It was unknown how he did it, no one even knows that he did it.

The spirit leads the man to a place filled with ice, a cave that reflected the skies.

"Didn't think I would be back here so soon," Tempus said stepping into the cave.

"Pooya?" The cute spirit said.

"Don't worry. I'm only here to talk this time."

"Pooyo!" The spirit left Tempus and went back to guarding the outside of the cave, in the constant avalanche.

"I would say I'm shocked to see you here. But I knew you were coming." From the sky, came down a young humanoid figure, with wings folded into its back. The figure looked at Tempus with disgust and pain, but all Tempus could do it smile.

"Ah, Sophia. I want to tal-"

"Don't call me that." she snapped. "You have no right to call me by the name given to me by my sister."

"Hehe." All Tempus could do was laugh at the awkward situation he found himself in. "Can I just talk?"

"The sin catalysts?" Sophia interrupted. "Did you forget that I can see in all of space?"

"Of course not. How could I forget."

"Good…" Sophia paced around the room with Tempus looking on questioning what was going on. He attempted to move forward but quickly found himself gasping for air.

"What's wrong Tempus?" Sophia said as if she didn't know. "Can't breath? Out of oxygen?"

Tempus tried whatever he could to fix his breathing. He pulled out his staff which emitted a giant green light before he found himself standing at the entrance of the room, with Sophia coming down from the ceiling.

"I'm impressed, Tempus," Sophia said. "You dare use my sister's magic in front of me."

"Please," Tempus begged. "Just listen to what I have to say. I know I can't bring your sister back, but please. I need your help."

Sophia looked at the grovelling Tempus, she attempted to remove the oxygen from the air but quickly gave up when she saw an image of her sister appearing in her mind.

"Very well," Sophia said. "She wouldn't want you to die."

"Thank you."

"Now then. The sin catalysts. What would you like to know?"

"What are they?"

"That isn't a simple question. There is history to these catalysts and when you know the history you will know what they are."

"Are you going to tell me?" Tempus asked getting more and more agitated.

"Many years ago, before I was even born, a man named Brio lived in this world. He was a human who had unprecedented magical abilities. His magic was one that didn't even need a catalyst. He was a truly amazing man."

"He didn't need a catalyst?" Tempus said. "How powerful was he?"

"Well, let's just say that he created a number of catalysts, 7 of which are the ones you are after. I believe you've encountered the Necronomicon? Although not one of the 7, he also made that."

"What the hell? One man made all that?"

"Indeed. He was truly powerful. My ancestors died because of him. They trapped him in space and time, sacrificing themselves in the process."

"So what do the Jester Masks want?" Tempus asked.

"Perhaps they wish to revive Brio. Brio was a man followed by 7 and they each had a catalyst of unbelievable power. If they gather all 7 and unlock their true powers they can free him, but I fear that will amount to nothing."

"What do you mean?"

"I believe their true plan is no more than rewriting history. They don't wish to revive Brio, they wish to make a history where he never died."

Tempus stood frozen in place aware of what was about to be said. "You don't mean?"

"That I do, Tempus. When they have gathered all 7 catalysts, they will certainly come for our heads. With Space and Time magic along with the 7 catalysts, they will rewrite everything we have ever known."

"..." Tempus couldn't say anything. He could hardly even think.

"You wore a mask, Tempus. You say you are many things but ultimately you are a coward."

Tempus looked at Sophia with a smile at the sudden insult, but as soon as he saw how serious Sophia was, his smile escaped from his face.

"You are a coward, and you can't deny it. You have power yet you don't use it for yourself. Or perhaps you do? I cannot say what it is you think. You saved a horse by sacrificing your body. When I saw that I was almost sick. How out of character for you. You tore your body apart for what? You only did it to make yourself feel better. You help no one but yourself. You are undeniable a coward."

Tempus knew what she was saying was correct, and didn't plan her for what she was saying. Every action he took was to make himself feel better. He lived a selfish life. The life he shouldn't have even had in the first place.

"Despite my hatred for you, do not give up hope, Tempus. My sister would hate to see the face your making right now. I don't know why she loved a coward like you. Perhaps she saw something in you that I do not.

I am imprisoned in this place, you are free to move. I can tell you the location of three catalysts, yet to be found, but be quick. For they may already know."

Tempus listened closely and wrote down the locations of the missing catalysts, his eyes were focused and he was ready to run back to the guardians.

"Wait, before I leave." Tempus said. "What happened to Ren?"

"I cannot tell you that. However, I shall warn you, that someone will have to be the one to rewrite history."

Tempus ran out after hearing that. Despite the uncertainty he was feeling, he was determined to fix it. Perhaps he wanted to make up for everything he had done in the past. Perhaps this was his apology to the world for it all.

"Please, fight, time thief," Sophia said to herself now that Tempus had left. "That vision you got when you stole my sister's powers, don't believe it. Believe in yourself."