The Guardian: The Elementalist

An uncertain existence

Ray kept staring at the lantern stone. He did not expect twenty years to pass, but he could not return the stone to its owner.

"Ralph, a lot of things have happened when you weren't by my side. There's so much I want to tell you. Please please! Where are you actually?" Ray kept holding the stone.

"I have obeyed your words, I have believed your words. Do you know that? It turns out that the Warden that we've been wary of is a beautiful woman, I've even enjoyed a hot night together. I managed to defeat the Warden according to your expectations. But why didn't you show up too? Where am I supposed to find you?" Ray felt very desperate, decades passed making him feel unable to expect Ralph's existence, he felt like giving up looking for him.

He moved from his sitting position and then swung his hands back, he was about to throw away the lantern stone. Unfortunately the feeling of unwillingness continued to occupy him, making him suddenly sit down and cry.

"Please, Ralph! Don't make me the bad guy who can throw away his friend!" said Ray.

Shortly after, Alex approached Ray. "Why are you sitting here?" ask Alex. Ray immediately wiped his tears, but Alex had already seen him just crying.

Alex was silent, he was speechless. Just this time he saw the sad face of Ray, but usually the man always looks energetic. His sad face made Alex turn away, pretending not to see him.

"Why are you here yourself?" Ray asked back, his voice a little shrill because he had just cried.

"Oh, I'm going to see Tesla, he told me to come right away. Then, see you later," said Alex then turned around to leave Ray.

"Wait!" pinta Ray, Alex stopped stepping, but he did not want to see the man's sad face.

"Don't tell me anything about what you saw on Tesla or Malfoy" Ray said. "Ba.. well," said Alex, without realizing Ray had disappeared from his presence.

After leaving Alex's presence, Ray pondered over the towering fortress while staring at the demons that were making damage down there.

"I really don't have the spirit anymore to eradicate them. Am I getting old? I need to find Ralph before I die!" he then plunged into the Abyss.

After a few seconds, he was already in a different realm. The arid and gloomy realm, he was currently in the Earth Abyss.

He continued walking until he found a settlement, then stopped at a tavern to order a drink. He thought alcohol was the right choice to overcome his turmoil.

"Hey, have you heard this story? Dark times Dark Warden! I heard he came from a royal family that collapsed 20 years ago" said one headscarf.

"really? At that time I was young, I didn't know anything about such news," said one bald-headed man.

"Same, at that time all I thought about was work, and work. I have to have my own house if I want to have a wife" said one of the beast races.

"I heard he was a prince there," said the headscarfed man. "Seriously? Then he was just a spoiled child from among the nobles? Whoa! I don't believe in this reality! How can a spoiled child become a Dark Warden?" said the man of the beast race.

"I've seen it in person. His face is beautiful like a prince, but I don't think he's spoiled. More like a stubborn man! You didn't know? a few months ago he had just eradicated the Warden's followers until they stopped moving again! He's really a crazy maniac who massacred those people all by himself" the bald-headed man said.

"He was strong and stubborn, but you know what dark times he reached?" ask the guy with the head. "What's that?" ask the bald-headed man.

The hooded man gestured for the two of them to approach. "He sacrificed his own friend to gain that power" said the head-hooded man in a soft voice.

"A....what? Sacrificing friends? You mean he killed his own friend?" ask the man of the beast race.

"I've heard he used to travel with a young man who was his age. So the reason the young man was currently no longer beside her was....."

Suddenly the sound of the table breaking shocked them. A tall and handsome man approached them staggered.

Actually, he was not drunk because of the alcohol, but his depression that made him like that.

"I admit it's all my fault! I failed to protect her. But if someone says that I killed him, he will have to pay a heavy price for what he said! I DIDN'T KILL HIM! RALPH IS ALIVE! I BELIEVE THAT!" the man shouted and then left the shop, slamming the door.

People were silent watching his rampage, some were still trying to digest what was really happening, they were still confused.

"Mom..wasn't that man Ray? The Dark Warden?" ask the beast race men. The hooded man remained silent while lowering his headscarf to make his face invisible.

"Woe to us for talking bad things about him!" said the bald-headed man with a pale face.

On the other hand, Ray went straight to a deserted place. On a hill where there was no one around, he shouted loudly to vent his frustration. "Ralph! Where are you?" repeatedly shouted.

After exhaustion, he went down the hill and found an interworld gate suddenly appearing.

"Well, Ray? Finally meet again here," said Kaa who just came out of the gate between the world.

Ray approached her with a hardened face, kneeling before Kaa and holding her hand.

"Yes, of all the people in the world, you're the only one who memorizes places. Please, help me find Ralph!" said Ray.

Kaa who was originally friendly suddenly showed a cold gaze towards Ray. "It looks like you've forgotten what I said before. I told you that I won't take your side anymore, I don't have any business with you anymore. Find yourself! If you can't, give up" Kaa said.

"Kaa, please! It means a lot to me. If I give up now, I'm just a bad guy leaving his friend alone" Ray said.

"Good then, just accept that nickname that's on you. The more you plead to me, the clearer your purpose is to ask for help. You don't care what your friend is doing, all you want is to clear your name of the people's accusations against you!" kaa. Ray was silent for a moment, he could not deny it even though he did not agree with what Kaa said.

"Mom..it's not my intention, Kaa! Believe me!" said Ray. Kaa just sighed as if trying to be patient with a child who never matures.

"Not all the faults in this world can you redeem Ray, nor can you turn away from that reality. All you have to do is just accept it! Twenty years have passed, but there has been no progress in your search. If you feel anxious or depressed, do what you want! Haven't you always been like that all this time? Avoid reality by seeking the entertainment of the ladies of the night. I even feel disgusted that you've been in contact with the Warden before. It's really unbelievable" Kaa said.

"You still mad about it?" ask Ray. "You kidding? Who dares sleep with the enemy and enjoy a hot night together? Your vigilance is really lacking, Ray! You're so unreasonable! I don't want to deal with you anymore!" kaa.

"I thought our relationship had been fine for a long time, why did you suddenly hate me more?" ask Ray.

"I never said I didn't hate you. I always hated you, Ray! I just feel sorry for the abandoned young man without a sense of purpose, but now that you're not that young man anymore, you're old! Better change that stubbornness of your head!" kaa.

"Did I make another mistake? Hey, Kaa! Please tell me! What other mistakes have I made that have made you come back cold to me?" ask Ray.

"I'll just stop hating you if you change. One thing I want to say, I hope after this we don't see each other again" Kaa said.

"What do you want to say?" ask Ray. "Don't make enmity with the next Warden! You better remember what I said. If I break it, maybe I'll show up against you too" Kaa warned. He left Ray.