Short Story: Kamon Ardens and the Crystal of Ages

The Guardian tower loomed in the distance.

'''Kamon Ardens continued his pace in it’s direction, never breaking stride, holding back all emotion. Now’s not the time for self doubt. He thought to himself. He hadn’t seen the tower in over ten years. Missions, mishaps, assignments, and adventures. It was a busy ten years or so… well it was busy at the end anyways. The Gildestrand assignment was an arduous one to say the least. A prison without walls. A prison made of endless paperwork and messengers. Frivolous and well-to-do people all backstabbing each other on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. Not a one of them brave enough to come out from behind their politics and ledgers. '''

'''Kamon shook his head lightly as he approached his destination, focus was needed but his mind wandered. The past few weeks were quite different compared to the years of his assignment. Marcus Firebrand and his band of heroes and miscreants saw to that. '''

'''            He stopped at a small bit of ruins almost hidden amongst the sand. The tower was still half a days travel by foot. Before reaching it one would have to deal with a number of complications including the Dragon Moore and all that came with it. The primary defense of the tower, it has never been crossed. Luckily, there is a shortcut. Kamon drew his sword and ignited it’s power. Small columns reacted and glowed in tune with his soulblade as a door opened in the center of the ruins. A small cave was below. '''

'''        Kamon stepped down through the door, and after a moment it closed behind him. Soft warm light pulsed from his blade illuminating the dark cavern. A few paces ahead of him was a solid piece of stone a bit larger than your average warforge. It was carved to look like a door with a single hole in the middle. Elegant inscriptions and engravings of swords and dragons adorned it’s surface. This was the only way past the Dragon Moore that surrounded and protected the tower. '''

'''Kamon took a deep breath and thrust his blade into the hole. The thunderous crack of air displacing almost startled him as Kamon was instantly relocated to the vast interior of the tower. Only a living guardian may enter the tower, and only with his soulblade at hand.'''

'''The air inside was significantly cooler than the expanse he just marched through, much more hospitable. He extinguished his blade and put it away.'''

'''            “Kamon Ardens!” A voice he could never forget called to him. Master Kleege limped towards Kamon with a wry smile and a twinkle in his one good eye. '''

'''“It's been too long Tyro.” He said. Kamon bit his teeth. A title given to a guardian when he first begins his training, still being referred to as Tyro can be insulting from the wrong source. Being one of the eldest and most experienced guardians however, there are few who are not pupils in Kleege’s shadow. All the same, Kleege does carry a reputation of purposefully ruffling feathers.'''

'''“Yes. Far too long indeed Master.” Kamon replied. '''

'''“Speaking of too long, it was about time you flushed out the evil at the heart of the Dutchie. Didn’t think you’d take him on yourself, but you allied with some powerful friends. Good on you.” He chuckled.'''

'''Kamon and Kleege began walking down the luminous hall toward the nearest stairwell. Kamon’s mission was complete and it must be put it to record before beginning another assignment.'''

“Are you telling me that my assignment was actually to bring down Rastens?” Kamon asked.

'''“Not exactly”. Kleege furrowed his brow. “We knew darkness had taken hold somewhere in the higher ranks of the Dutchie. Our Seers knew that much for certain. What we didn’t know was how many and of what level of power. You weren’t the only Guardian assigned to political duties involving the Dutchie, but becoming mayor of Gildestrand certainly put you closer to the source.”'''

'''Kleege laughed. “Mayor... or should I use your full title?”'''

“I’d rather you didn’t.” Kamon said, using all his strength to remain respectful and not roll his eyes.

''' Kleege composed himself and continued. “The Grey Watch had contacted us and tipped us off to some powerful Chronomancy. We assigned a few Guardians to attempt to track it, but as you know it’s extremely difficult. Time based magic seems to elude even the most sensitive of our order. When Rastens revealed himself during your encounter in that port town we realized we were dealing with both problems from one source. We were very fortunate to have you there at the time.”  '''

'''“Now that he’s been dispatched, the Dutchie has all but vanished. Thats a big power vacuum we must address.” Kamon remarked.'''

'''“Agreed.” Kleege nodded. “We’re shuffling our deck out there. A lot of guardians being reassigned. A lot of different factions are coming out of the woodwork and stirring up trouble. We have to make sure everyone has a proper voice. Guardians will smooth all these transitions as we always have, by brain or by sword as the situation sees fit.”'''

'''Kamon stopped. “We aren’t forcing any one faction in any particular direction are we?” '''

'''“Of course not” Kleege’s smile seemed to run away. “We Guardians are all about balance. We can not take sides in that way. However we know full well when one faction stands out and when another is just puffing their chests. We must maintain order out there and ensure everyone’s voice is heard, but we also must limit wasted time in the political sea.” '''

'''The two Guardians resumed walking and quickly reached the stairs. “You go ahead Tyro.” Kleege said, rubbing his replacement leg. “I’ll catch up with you.”'''

Kamon bowed lightly and marched up the stairs.

'''         At the top of the stairs, down another corridor in the labyrinth like tower was a large dimly lit room. A room with no furniture or windows, at the center stood the Crystal of Ages. The oblong crystal stands nearly six feet tall and hums quietly, emitting a very faint light. Older than any known relic, it maintains the history of the Guardians. The memories of Guardians past and present are stored within, and through it a sort of living history of Senomar. Whenever a Guardian returns to the tower he must take part in a recording.  Kamon enters the room and prepares himself for meditation. Already in the room is a guardian initiate. Young, with a small amount of training, he does not yet have a soulblade of his own. He gently shakes a percussion instrument and whistles softly. Another Guardian whom Kamon does not know is sitting to the right of the crystal ready to meditate. He looks at Kamon for a moment and nods before returning his gaze to the center of the room. Kamon settles himself in front of the Crystal, blade in front of him but still sheathed. '''

'''After a moment Master Kleege enters the room. He takes up his position to the left of the crystal. The young Tyro moves behind Kamon, continuing his rhythmic, yet random music. The three Guardians unsheath their blades and ignite them. The Crystal glows in unison. Kamon speaks. “Our souls give us life, our blades give us power, our balance gives us strength, our unity gives us immortality. I place my memories for all within the stone.” The three Guardians stand their blades in front of them and release. The blades remain upright, balanced on their tips and luminesse with full power. The Crystal of Ages matches the intensity of the swords glowing with a  brilliant white light. '''

'''The three Guardians enter full meditation as Kamon’s memories are replayed and stored within the crystal. Kamon’s entire life flows before him. Swimming around him in images and sounds. His experiences ebb and flow between the other two guardians and into the crystal at the center of the room. The earliest Guardians began this practice just after the dawn of the order. The Crystal was barely the size of a hand then, it feeds and grows from the memories stored within. Any Guardian may meditate and reflect upon the knowledge of his brethren both past and present. Perfect knowledge of the past is a powerful tool, ensuring nothing is lost between generations. '''

'''Four hours pass and the images cease. The crystal and the soulblades begin to dim as the three guardians feel refreshed and slowly break meditation. The young Tyro ends his song, bows and leaves the room. All three Guardians take their blades and store them at their sides, moving in unison. The Guardian to the right, whom Kamon now knows is named Arstice bows and leaves the room. Kleege puts a hand on Kamon’s shoulder and says: “Remember your past is here to learn from, but it should never weigh you down.” He limps out of the room. Kamon pauses for a moment and follows him to the top of the Tower for reassignment.'''

'''The top of the Guardian tower is where they house the Long Gate. An incredible relic powered by the sun, the Long Gate was once capable of transporting entire squadrons to and from the tower at any distance. Time takes its toll on many things and the Long Gate is no different. It’s abilities have diminished over the millennia. It can now only move a single Guardian at a time from the tower to his destination.'''

'''Kamon and Kleege exit the stairwell and walk towards the five elders that have been waiting near the gate. Kleege joins them and they talk amongst themselves for a moment while Kamon stands at attention. '''

'''Kleege nods to the others and turns to Kamon. "Kamon Ardens." He says. "As I told you before, we are reassigning Guardians all over Senomar to deal with the new political climate as well as the skirmishes that have broken out. We would like to assign you to a fledgling faction that we believe will grow in numbers and be a true contender. See to it that you help them as you see fit, keeping in accordance with our ways, as they take the stage."'''

'''Kamon bows slightly. "Of course Master."'''

'''"We are assigning you to the nation of Tioga"  Kleege says with a slight grin. '''

'''"Tioga? Yes sir..." Kamon says.'''

'''Kleege continues. “We’re returning you to the free port of Camp Town. Your allies there will help you as you help them.”  Kamon approaches the gate, pulls out his sword and takes a knee. '''

'''"You have put yourself in a unique position with Marcus Firebrand and the only flying ship that we know of. Stay by his side and enjoy the adventure." Kleege says with a full smile now.'''

'''       The elders watch as Kleege draws his sword and moves towards the stone pedestal near the gate. In one motion he ignites his weapon and plunges it into the pedestal. With a pulse of light Kamon is sent to his destination as if some enormous invisible bow was drawn and fired; with him as the bolt. He braces himself as the entire world seems to stretch out before him and is immediately snapped back into place. In a blur of light and a thunderous crack, the Guardian Kamon Ardens appears just outside of Camp Town. '''